Monaco's prosecutor's office announced on Thursday that a suspect has been identified in the parcel bombing that wounded three people, including a sanctioned Ukrainian-born multi-millionaire, in the Mediterranean principality. An arrest warrant has been issued, and an Interpol Red Notice will be circulated from Thursday evening, according to a statement.
The explosion occurred late Monday at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco, a sovereign city-state known for its high concentration of wealthy residents. Authorities have not officially named the victims but confirmed they are a family and appeared to have been specifically targeted. Media reports identify the injured as Ukrainian construction tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev, a woman, and a child.
Investigation and Suspect Details
The prosecutor's statement described the blast as an attempted assassination. French authorities are assisting in the investigation, which includes analysis of the explosive device and ongoing efforts to identify the bomber. The suspect is a foreign national who was detained in Monaco on Wednesday morning but released later that day after further checks were deemed necessary. No additional details about the suspect or the reason for their initial detention have been released.
Yermolaiev, who has said he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship nearly a decade ago, was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for alleged ties to Russia. The other two victims—a woman and a child—remain in serious condition. The child has been interviewed in neighboring France, but the other two are not yet fit for questioning. One victim is critically injured and remains in life-threatening condition.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Monaco, a principality of roughly 39,000 residents that is one of the world's smallest sovereign states. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed why the family was targeted.
This incident follows a pattern of targeted violence in Europe, including recent firebomb attacks in Thessaloniki targeting New Democracy members and the arrest of four suspects in Italy for a bomb attack on investigative journalist Sigfrido Ranucci. The use of parcel bombs in Monaco, a jurisdiction with tight security, underscores the challenges European law enforcement faces in preventing such targeted attacks.
The prosecutor's office has not provided a timeline for further developments, but the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice indicates a concerted effort to track the suspect across borders. The investigation continues with support from French authorities, reflecting the close cooperation between Monaco and France in criminal matters.
