Monaco Identifies Suspect in Bomb Explosion That Injured Ukrainian-Born Businessman

Monaco authorities have identified a person suspected of carrying out a bomb explosion that injured three people on Monday evening, including Ukrainian-born multimillionaire Vadim Yermolayev. The principality's prosecutor's office announced on Thursday that an arrest warrant has been issued and that an Interpol red notice will be circulated later today.

According to French media reports, the suspect, seen on surveillance cameras wearing a black fisherman's hat, is believed to be a woman who attempted to disguise herself as a man. Prosecutor Stéphane Thibault did not mention this in his statement but scheduled a press conference for Friday. He praised Monaco's police and effective international cooperation that allowed for a rapid identification.

The explosion occurred when a package was left in the vestibule of a small apartment building near the French border. It detonated as three residents—a couple and a 13-year-old teenager—entered, injuring all three. While authorities did not officially confirm the victims' identities, sources indicate the attack targeted 58-year-old Yermolayev, his partner, and their son. The two adults were taken to Nice University Hospital in life-threatening condition, while the teenager was hospitalized with lighter injuries. By Wednesday, the businessman's condition was no longer life-threatening, but his partner's condition remained unstable.

Yermolayev, a resident of Monaco since at least 2021 and a Cypriot citizen, has been under Ukrainian sanctions since December 2023 for operating an alcohol trading business in Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukraine claims he continued paying taxes to Russia after its full-scale invasion in February 2022. A source added that Yermolayev made his fortune in the city of Dnipro, where many would now be willing to shoot him.