A bomb blast in the La Rousse district of Monaco on Monday night has left Ukrainian billionaire oligarch Vadim Ermolaev, 58, and his wife fighting for their lives. A 13-year-old boy, believed to be related to the couple, was also injured but less seriously. The attack occurred shortly before 9pm CEST on Rue du Révérend Père Louis Frolla.
Suspect Identified on CCTV
CCTV footage shows a man in a black bucket hat and jumper dumping a backpack at the entrance of a residential building before fleeing on foot toward Beausoleil, a French town just over the border. Monaco's Minister of State Christophe Mirmand described the incident as a "deliberate explosion" and said the suspect was identified via video surveillance in Monaco and Beausoleil. A French national police official confirmed French police are searching for the suspect and supporting the investigation.
Parcel Bomb with Bolts and Shot
The explosive device, described as a "parcel bomb" by the principality's prosecutor general, is believed to have contained bolts and shot designed to cause maximum injuries. Mirmand told AFP: "The explosive device likely contained bolts and pellets. The police are currently gathering evidence." He added that this is "the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has occurred in the Principality."
Victims and Response
The two critically injured adults, a couple in their 50s and 60s, were taken to Pasteur Hospital in Nice. The 13-year-old was treated at the scene. Prince Albert II called the explosion "an odious act" and said all relevant state services had been mobilised, working closely with French authorities. A press conference was held by Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, Interior Minister Lionel Beffre, and President of the National Council Thomas Brezzo. The Public Prosecutor is expected to present initial findings and the legal classification of the incident.
Manhunt Underway
A large emergency response remains in place with a police cordon and a helicopter circling. Fifty firefighters were dispatched. French rescue teams from Nice and Menton have reinforced the search in Beausoleil. A British resident in Monaco told The Mirror: "The road where the explosion happened is about 20 minutes away from where we are and he has gone to the neighbouring town of Beausoleil which is just over the border into France. So I imagine he has just disappeared into France."
Who is Vadim Ermolaev?
Vadim Ermolaev is a Ukrainian-born real estate mogul, ranked the 23rd richest man in Ukraine by Forbes. He is associated with the Alef Group, a conglomerate with interests in real estate, manufacturing, agribusiness, and alcohol production. He obtained Cypriot citizenship in 2019 and renounced his Ukrainian citizenship. He fled Ukraine after Russia's invasion and has been under Ukrainian sanctions since December 2023 for his ties to Russia, specifically his alcohol business in Russian-occupied Crimea.
