FOUR days after a botched plot to blow up a Ukrainian oligarch left five people injured in Monaco, authorities have revealed the chilling extent of the preparations behind the attack.
Anastasiia Berezovska, 39, is accused of planting an explosive-laden backpack at a luxury apartment where Ukrainian oligarch , 58, was staying.
Anastasiia Berezovska is accused of setting a bomb at a luxury apartment in Monaco Credit: AFP
Monaco deputy prosecutor Morgan Raymon (centre) revealed Berezovska carried out several reconnaissance trips in the days leading up to the explosion Credit: AFP
Berezovska remains on the run as authorities retrace her movements in the days leading up to the devastating explosion that tore through a quiet Monaco street on Monday night.
At precisely 8.58pm, a device detonated near Ermolaev at the foot of the building.
In the immediate aftermath, paramedics rushed to the scene, sifting through debris to reach stricken victims.
Ermolaev is now in critical condition while his alleged mistress Anna is also fighting for her life, having had both her legs amputated.
The bomb went off at 8.58pm on Monday Credit: X
Investigators says the device was detonated remotely Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The device was stored inside a shopping bag Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Berezovska quickly made her getaway, and remains on the run Credit: Reuters
Monaco deputy prosecutor Morgan Raymon has now revealed in a bombshell development that CCTV footage shows a person sitting on a bench – thought to be Berezovska – moments before the target arrived.
Investigators say the device, concealed inside a shopping bag, was detonated remotely once the intended victims were within range.
At one point, the suspect can reportedly be seen turning back to confirm the targets’ proximity to the device.
After going through hours of security footage, have now determined the suspect carried out several reconnaissance trips near the scene of the tragedy.
These took place on June 26 at 10.30pm and on June 27 at 7.00am.
On each occasion, a person dressed identically to the suspect was filmed carrying the same shopping bag later used to conceal the device.
Witness testimony taken on the night of the blast described a man wearing a bucket hat.
However, Raymon said investigators now believe the suspect was Berezovska disguised as a man.
Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Ermolaev remains in critical condition Credit: UGC/UNPIXS
His alleged mistress Anna is also in a serious condition Credit: Facebook
A Red Notice by Interpol – the international police organisation – has been issued, along with an arrest warrant and a picture of her.
They say the 39-year-old has shoulder-length brown hair and a prominent tattoo on her right arm, and speaks German.
Sources allege the prime suspect is a with ties to the .
She also reportedly lives in Frankfurt and is known for her ties to organised , according to a well-placed source.
Investigators say the suspect may have fled via a route through and before reaching Germany, using a rental vehicle with German plates.
They believe the car was hired specifically for the operation.
The suspect’s home near Frankfurt was searched on Friday.
Raymon said the “relative sophistication” of the device also suggests she may not have acted alone.
He warned that she is “armed and dangerous” and may be travelling with accomplices.
Two men were arrested in the aftermath of the explosion but were later released after authorities found no evidence linking them to the attack.
Investigators worry Berezovska could have already made her way as far as the Balkans.
The investigation is ongoing, while in the meantime doctors fight to keep Ermolaev and Anna alive.
Police suspect the attack may have been carried out by organised crime operatives targeting Ermolaev over alleged unpaid debts linked to his eldest son’s fraudulent call centre empire.
Ermolaev, was previously one of the richest men in Ukraine, but surrendered his citizenship in 2017.
His eldest son, Artur, was arrested in Cyprus last year before being extradited to Estonia.
There, he was convicted of running scam call centres from Dnipro, Ukraine.
The operation is said to have defrauded EU citizens of around €100 million (£86 million), with victims allegedly tricked into paying for bogus investment schemes and fake divorce advice.
French investigators now believe the bomb that tore through a quiet Monaco street may have been a revenge attack orchestrated by a rival criminal network.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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