A Ukrainian-born construction tycoon with ties to Russia was reportedly among three people injured after an explosive device detonated at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco, the microstate on the French Riviera known as a haven for billionaires.
According to authorities, the explosion occurred at the Sun’s Palace residential building on Rue Révérend-Père-Louis-Frolla at about 9 p.m. Monday.
Authorities did not identify the victims, saying only that two adults and a teenager were injured. However, French and Ukrainian media identified them as Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born construction magnate who has lived in Monaco since 2021, his partner, Anna, and their 13-year-old son.
Yermolaiev had renounced his Ukrainian citizenship nearly a decade ago and was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2023 over alleged business ties to Russia.
Monaco’s Minister of State Christophe Mirmand initially said the blast appeared to be “an attack” but later described it as a “deliberate explosion.”
Mirmand, citing surveillance footage, said the three victims were “apparently returning home” when the attack occurred. “They were caught in the explosion as they crossed the threshold of their apartment building,” he said.
Three Ukrainian nationals injured, two seriously, in Monaco explosion after booby-trapped package left in building; suspect at large, authorities say. – BFMTV
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“It appears that the family was specifically targeted,” he said, adding that surveillance footage showed the alleged attacker “had walked around the area several times while waiting for the victims.” “In the minutes before the explosion, he was apparently waiting for the victims.”
Authorities said Yermolaiev and the teenager sustained less serious injuries but remained hospitalized Tuesday. The woman was in life-threatening condition and was being treated at a hospital in Nice, France.
Monaco Prosecutor Stéphane Thibault said Tuesday that authorities believe the attacker acted alone and fled on foot after the explosion.
Authorities in Monaco and neighboring France continued searching Tuesday for the suspect, who remains at large.
