Parcel Bomb in Monaco Injures Ukrainian Oligarch and Two Relatives

Overview

• A parcel exploded in the entrance of a Monaco residential building on Monday, June 29, wounding three members of the same family and leaving the two adults initially in life‑threatening condition.
• Multiple sources identify one of the wounded as Vadim Ermolaev, a wealthy Ukrainian‑born businessman who has lived in Monaco since 2021 and was placed under Ukrainian sanctions in December 2023.
• The Monaco prosecutor opened a judicial inquiry for attempted assassination while ruling out a terrorism classification at this stage and investigators say the device likely contained bolts and shrapnel.
• Surveillance footage shows a man placing a bag in the building hall and fleeing on foot toward Beausoleil, prompting coordinated searches, border controls and analysis of telephony and camera records to locate him.
• Monaco mobilised a large emergency response and reinforced security, the three victims were taken to hospitals in Nice, and the case raises broader diplomatic and security questions because of the reported victim’s ties and sanctions.