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 authorities of Monaco regarding an explosion in the principality, in which, according to media reports, sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev and his family were injured.

Source: Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Ministry's press service in a comment to journalists, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministry noted that 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.

"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," the ministry said.

It is noted that, as part of consular assistance procedures, Ukrainian diplomats are present at the scene.

Background:

• On 29 June at around 21:00, three people were injured in an explosion in Monaco, two of whom sustained very serious injuries. According to media reports, they include sanctioned Ukrainian businessman Yermolaiev and his relatives.
• Following the explosion, a large-scale operation was launched to search for a suspect who planted the explosive device – the man was captured on CCTV footage. It is currently believed that he managed to leave for France.
• In the latest statements from Monaco, authorities said that the terrorist attack theory has been ruled out. Instead, 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 Ukrainian citizenship in favour of a Cypriot passport.
• Yermolaiev was also featured in Ukrainska Pravda's Monaco Battalion investigation about Ukrainian businessmen, politicians and oligarchs who settled on the French Riviera during the full-scale war.

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