An explosion at the entrance of an apartment building in Monaco injured a Ukrainian tycoon connected to Russia and two other individuals, as confirmed by the chief prosecutor of the country on Tuesday. The prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, stated that a search was ongoing for a person who fled the scene on foot following the late Monday blast, with the motive remaining unclear.
Reports from the media have identified Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian construction tycoon, as one of the wounded parties. Yermolaiev, who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship nearly ten years ago, was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2023 due to his ties with Russia. Additionally, a woman and a child were also harmed in the incident.
Monaco’s Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, mentioned that it seemed the family was specifically targeted. Surveillance footage showed an individual lingering in the vicinity, waiting for the victims before the explosion occurred. The reason behind the targeting and the perpetrator remain unknown.
Recent statements from Western intelligence officials suggest an increase in targeted killings by Russia against its adversaries since President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Similarly, Ukraine is suspected of carrying out attacks and targeted killings of Russian individuals during the conflict, primarily within Ukrainian or Russian territories.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry disclosed that its embassy in France, responsible for Monaco, was coordinating with local authorities, and Ukrainian diplomats were present at the scene to offer support.
During a news conference, Thibault revealed that the attacker had placed a parcel outside the building just before the occupants of the ground floor flat arrived, leading to the explosion. The residence is situated near the French border. Surveillance footage captured the suspect wearing a distinct outfit, including a black jacket, light-colored pants, white shoes, and a black bucket hat partially concealing the face.
The affected family members are known residents of Monaco, and authorities are investigating whether they had received any prior threats. The blast occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time on Monday, resulting in the hospitalization of the injured parties, with one woman in critical condition and her partner and child receiving treatment for less severe injuries.