Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolayev, who reportedly later acquired Cypriot citizenship, was seriously injured in the bomb attack that took place in Monaco on the evening of June 29, together with members of his family.
According to Ukrainska Pravda and European Pravda, citing French broadcaster BFMTV, authorities in Monaco have launched a major operation to locate the suspect believed to be responsible for the explosion.
Investigations continued on Tuesday morning, involving Monaco police, around 40 French gendarmes and two helicopters.
Reports indicate that the suspect was captured by multiple CCTV cameras, although his face was partially concealed.
Based on information gathered so far, the suspect is believed to have left a package containing an explosive device in the lobby of a building on Boulevard d’Italie.
He subsequently moved quickly towards the neighbouring French commune of Beausoleil, where authorities lost track of him.
Alongside the analysis of security camera footage, investigators are taking statements from potential witnesses who may have seen the suspect.
Monaco’s ruler, Prince Albert II, said all available emergency and security services had been mobilised in close coordination with French authorities.
The explosion occurred on the evening of June 29. Yermolayev suffered serious injuries, while Monaco authorities reportedly described the incident as unprecedented for the principality.
Yermolayev is a businessman from Dnipro, founder of the Alef commercial and industrial group, and one of the city’s largest real-estate investors. He has previously appeared on Forbes Ukraine’s list of the country’s 100 wealthiest individuals.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, Yermolayev later renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and acquired Cypriot citizenship.
He is currently subject to Ukrainian sanctions and was also featured in the Ukrainska Pravda investigation titled “Monaco Battalion,” which examined Ukrainian businessmen, politicians and oligarchs who settled on the French Riviera following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
