Monaco Bombing Investigation: Female Suspect Identified in Attack on Ukrainian Businessman
Monaco authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for a female suspect, disguised as a man, following a June 29 bombing in a residential building that targeted Ukrainian millionaire...
Monaco authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for a female suspect, disguised as a man, following a June 29 bombing in a residential building that targeted Ukrainian millionaire Vadym Yermolayev.
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International Manhunt Underway
An arrest warrant has been issued for an unidentified suspect who is now the subject of an Interpol Red Notice. Reports from Le Figaro and BFMTV indicate the suspect was captured on surveillance footage wearing a black bucket hat while attempting to disguise herself as a man.
Monaco’s Prosecutor General, Stéphane Thibault, praised the efficiency of local police and international judicial cooperation, which allowed authorities to identify the suspect rapidly.
Public Safety Protocol
In a July 2 statement, state police urged the public to remain vigilant regarding unattended items in public spaces. Authorities treat such objects as suspicious, frequently deploying specialized protocols that include bomb squads, security cordons, and the closure of major thoroughfares.
Police emphasized that those responsible for abandoning such items may face criminal prosecution.
Details of the Attack
The explosion occurred on June 29 when a backpack, left in the lobby of a residential building near the French border, detonated as Vadym Yermolayev, a woman, and a 13-year-old entered the premises.
While the state has not confirmed identities, French media reports identify the 58-year-old Ukrainian businessman, his partner, and his son as the targets. The 13-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the two adults suffered severe, life-threatening wounds. Reports indicate Yermolayev is now out of danger, though the woman remains in critical condition.
Target Profile and Precedent
Yermolayev, a prominent developer and agricultural businessman from Dnipro, holds Cypriot citizenship after renouncing his Ukrainian nationality. He was placed under Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for continuing business operations in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Prosecutor Thibault confirmed that Yermolayev, a resident of Monaco since 2021, is not under investigation or wanted by foreign authorities. The Prime Minister of Monaco, Christophe Steiner, noted that this represents the first attempted murder by bombing in the history of the principality.