Explosion in Monaco: Ukraine's Foreign Ministry comments on blast that injured sanctioned Ukrainian businessman and his family

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with the Monaco authorities regarding an explosion in the principality that reportedly injured sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev and members of his family.

Source: the Foreign Ministry press service in a comment to journalists, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministry said the Ukrainian Embassy in France, which is also responsible for Monaco, is in contact with local authorities regarding the high-profile explosion and is establishing the identities of those injured.

Quote from the ministry: "The Monaco Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation, and the nature of the incident is being established. According to local emergency services, three people were injured in the explosion – members of a family of Ukrainian origin. Identification of the injured persons is currently being carried out through official channels, and information regarding whether they hold Ukrainian citizenship is being clarified."

It is noted that Ukrainian diplomats are at the scene to provide consular assistance.

Background:

• On 29 June at around 21:00, three people were injured in an explosion in Monaco, two of whom sustained very serious injuries. They are reported to be sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev and members of his family.
• Following the explosion, a major operation was launched to search for the suspect who planted the explosive device – the man was captured on CCTV footage. It is currently believed that he fled to France.
• In the latest statements from Monaco, the authorities said the incident is not being treated as a terrorist attack. The principality's Prosecutor General has opened an investigation into attempted murder and the planting of an explosive device in a public place.
• Vadym Yermolaiev is a businessman from Dnipro, founder of the Alef trade and manufacturing corporation and one of the city's largest property developers. He was previously regularly listed among the 100 richest people in Ukraine by Forbes. In 2019, he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship to become a citizen of Cyprus.
• Yermolaiev was also featured in Ukrainska Pravda's Monaco Battalion investigation into Ukrainian businessmen, politicians and oligarchs who settled on the French Riviera during the full-scale war.

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