Ukrainian oligarch injured in Monaco explosion, deliberate act suspected

A deliberate explosion in Monaco injured Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Yermolaev and two other individuals, marking an unprecedented incident in the principality. The blast occurred around 9 PM local time in a residential building near the border with France.

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deliberate explosion

Monaco's Minister of State, Christophe Mirmandas, initially described the event as an "assassination attempt" but later revised it to a "deliberate explosion." Prince Albert II condemned the incident as a "terrible crime that has shaken the entire Monaco community." French authorities are actively searching for the perpetrator, who managed to escape the scene.

An individual close to the investigation, who requested anonymity, confirmed to AFP that Yermolaev was among the injured. A 13-year-old, "very likely related to the couple," sustained minor injuries. The couple, aged 50-60, who were also injured in the explosion, are in critical condition. Emergency services treated four other individuals for shock and abrasions from shattered windows.

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terrible crime that has shaken the entire Monaco community

Investigators believe the explosive device was filled with screws and shrapnel. Mirmandas stated that this is likely the first such incident in Monaco's history. Yermolaev, a multimillionaire residing in Monaco, has been on Kyiv's sanctions list since December 2023. Ukrainian security services reportedly imposed sanctions due to his alleged involvement in the alcohol business in Crimea, which is currently occupied by Russia. A press conference by the prosecutor is scheduled for Tuesday.

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As far as I know, this is the first time in history that such an event has occurred in the principality.