Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his wife and 13-year-old son were injured in an explosion that occurred on the evening of 29 June in a residential building in Monaco. According to local authorities, three people were wounded, with two adults in a critical condition.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to the newspaper Le Monde, citing Monaco authorities, the explosion occurred shortly before 21:00 in a residential building near Place du Moulin. According to the head of the principality's government, Christophe Mirman, it is believed to be a deliberate attack using an explosive device left in a bag or parcel in the building's lobby.
Authorities have not officially disclosed the identities of the injured. However, Le Monde, AFP, BFM TV and Nice-Matin reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation, that the injured man is Vadym Yermolaiev. According to the media, his wife and son were also injured with him.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION
According to the principality's authorities, the suspected perpetrator left the scene after placing the bag with the device. He has not yet been apprehended. The police are conducting an investigation.
The explosive device is believed to have contained metal components. Following the incident, authorities tightened security measures and began cooperation with French law enforcement agencies to search for the suspect.
WHO IS VADYM YERMOLAIEV
Vadym Yermolaiev is a Ukrainian businessman and investor. In 2021, Forbes Ukraine magazine included him in its list of the 100 richest Ukrainians, estimating the entrepreneur's fortune at $220 million.
In 2019, Yermolaiev renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and acquired citizenship of Cyprus. At the end of 2023, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, imposed personal sanctions on the businessman, related to allegations of continuing his alcohol business in Crimea after its annexation.
CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
A number of media outlets also link the Yermolaiev family to another high-profile investigation. According to the Telegram channel "Mash", the businessman's son Artur Yermolaiev was detained in Cyprus in December 2025 at the request of Interpol on suspicion of involvement in a network of illegal call centres, which, according to the investigation, were engaged in financial fraud.
Earlier in Kyiv, the activities of a network of call centres were disrupted, through which, according to law enforcement agencies, citizens of Kazakhstan were recruited to participate in the illegal drug trade.
