Monaco Blast: Suspect's Photo Surfaces As Police Hunt Fugitive After Ukrainian Oligarch Wounded in Explosion
Three people, including Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev and a teenager, were wounded in a 'deliberate explosion' at a Monaco apartment building on Monday, June 29. A suspect fled after leaving a shrapnel-packed package in the lobby. Two victims have life-threatening injuries. Authorities are hunting for the suspect; the motive remains unknown.
Three people, including a prominent Ukrainian oligarch and a teenager, were wounded on Monday evening, June 29, in a "deliberate explosion" at a residential building in Monaco. Authorities are currently hunting for a suspect who fled the scene after leaving an explosive device in the building's lobby. The blast occurred at approximately 9:00 PM local time on Monday inside a residential complex located on a street running along Monaco’s border with France.
According to a source close to the investigation who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, one of those wounded in the incident has been identified as Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev. Monaco's Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, stated that a couple in their 50s or 60s sustained life-threatening injuries and remain in critical condition. A 13-year-old, noted as "very likely related to the couple", suffered less severe injuries. Officials have not formally disclosed the nationalities of the victims.
Photo of the Alleged Suspect in Monaco Blast
Investigation and Shifting Definitions
Monaco Public Prosecutor Stephane Thibault confirmed that a suspect left a bag or package containing the explosive device in the building’s lobby shortly before the detonation. Investigators revealed that the device was packed with shrapnel, apparently containing bolts and buckshot. While Minister of State Mirmand initially referred to the blast as "an attack" during preliminary communications with the press, he later dropped the term, classifying it more conservatively as a "deliberate explosion".
"This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has taken place in the principality," Mirmand said, emphasising the unprecedented nature of the incident in the highly secure city-state. As the motive behind the blast remains entirely unclear, police forces across the region have been mobilised. An aide to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that French and Monégasque authorities are working closely "to find the perpetrator, who has fled".
Prosecutor Thibault stated that there is currently no immediate indication as to why this specific residential building or its occupants were targeted. A comprehensive news briefing by the public prosecutor's office is scheduled for Tuesday to provide further updates on the investigation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 07:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).