Anna Ermolaeva, the 56-year-old wife of Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, has confirmed she was not injured in the Monaco bombing that left her husband fighting for his life. The explosion, which occurred on Monday at a residential complex in the city-state, initially led to reports that Ms Ermolaeva had lost both legs in the blast. However, she told Ukrainian state outlet Suspilne that she was elsewhere at the time of the attack and is now cooperating with the investigation.
Details of the Attack
The bomb, believed to be a parcel bomb packed with explosives, nuts and bolts, detonated around 9pm local time (7pm GMT) in the building's foyer as residents were returning home. Vadym Yermolaiev, also 56, was rushed to a hospital in Nice, France, in critical condition alongside two other people. One woman, whose identity has not been released, had limbs including her legs amputated, and her 13-year-old son was thrown nearly 50 feet but is now stable. Ms Ermolaeva clarified that her own son is turning 17 this year, not 13.
Investigation and Suspect
French authorities have launched a major manhunt after the bomber escaped. CCTV footage captured a suspect fleeing towards Beausoleil, a French commune near the border with Italy. The video, obtained by Le Figaro, shows a man dropping a backpack in the building lobby moments before the explosion. Monaco's public prosecutor, Stephane Thibault, stated the blast is being investigated as attempted murder, not an act of terrorism.
Victim's Background
Vadym Yermolaiev, who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2017 to become a Cypriot citizen, was named the 39th richest person in Ukraine in 2020, with a fortune of £173.8 million. Christophe Mirmand, Monaco's minister of state, said the family appeared to be specifically targeted in the attack.
