Who is Vadym Yermolaiev, the Ukrainian tycoon injured in Monaco blast? | Russia-Ukraine war News
Monaco Police Launch Manhunt Following Bomb Attack
Monaco and neighboring French authorities are conducting a manhunt for a suspect believed to have detonated a makeshift bomb in the heart of the affluent Mediterranean principality, resulting in serious injuries to several individuals, officials confirmed.
The explosion occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time on Monday, injuring three Ukrainian nationals who are reportedly members of the same family. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating it is verifying their citizenship details. French media reports suggest the victims include Vadym Yermolaiev, a well-known Ukrainian oligarch, along with his partner and their 13-year-old son.
Reports indicate that Yermolaiev’s partner is in life-threatening condition, while he and his son are believed to have sustained less severe injuries.
Investigators are exploring the possibility that the attack was directed by Ukraine’s Security Service, targeting Yermolaiev, who relocated to Monaco in 2021. The businessman has faced sanctions from Kyiv due to his continued operations in Crimea following its annexation by Russia in 2014.
Monaco’s Prince Albert II classified the incident as a “heinous crime,” underscoring the shock it has caused within the local community. An aide to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that police are making every effort to locate the suspect, who is currently at large.
The attack took place at the entrance to a residential building. According to Monaco’s public prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, video surveillance captured a man leaving a package at the site shortly before the explosion. The nature of the explosive device included bolts and buckshot, Mirmand stated.
There was a significant police presence at the scene, with the area cordoned off and a helicopter surveilling overhead. Mirmand emphasized that this is the first incident of this kind in Monaco’s history.
As reported, three individuals were harmed in the explosion, including a teenager. Surveillance footage indicated that the victims were returning home when the blast occurred.
Vadym Yermolaiev, a multimillionaire businessman, has faced scrutiny from Ukrainian authorities over his business activities in Russian-occupied Crimea. He has denied collaborating with Russian interests, expressing that he sought to recover investments in the region but faced significant challenges.
Since his relocation to Monaco, Yermolaiev has been classified as a local oligarch, although experts suggest he does not rank among the most influential figures within Ukraine’s elite. Recent investigations revealed that many of his assets have been transferred to his daughter following the imposition of sanctions against him.
At present, no specific suspect has been identified. Monaco’s authorities have indicated a coordinated effort with French counterparts to apprehend the individual responsible for the attack, who reportedly fled into the French town of Beausoleil and may have headed toward Italy.
While investigators have ruled out terrorism as a motive, some analysts suggest alternative explanations for the attack that may be related to familial connections or other criminal enterprises. The situation remains fluid as authorities continue their search for the assailant.