Vadim Yermolaev, businessman
According to BFMTV, the explosion occurred on a street located on the border between Monaco and France. According to the Public Security Department, surveillance cameras captured an unidentified individual leaving a backpack at the scene. The explosion occurred after people approached the backpack.
Initially, BFMTV, citing French police, reported that the victims were Ukrainian citizens.
According to Le Figaro, one of the victims of the explosion is Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaev, who is subject to sanctions imposed by Zelenskyy. In 2021, “Forbes Ukraine” included him in its list of the 100 richest Ukrainians, with a fortune of $220 million. The publication noted that the “Alef” Group, owned by the businessman, was actively involved in the construction of commercial properties in Dnipro. In 2019, he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and obtained Cypriot citizenship. In late December 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed personal sanctions against Yermolaev.
At the time of the explosion, Vadim Yermolaev was in an apartment building with his wife and son. Monaco Prosecutor Thibault Stefan told the publication that two of the victims are in critical condition, while the third is not in life-threatening condition. He noted that this is the first incident of its kind in the principality’s history.
Eric Sotti, mayor of Nice—which is located about 20 km from Monaco—also described the incident as a terrorist attack.
