Three people were injured, two critically, in a targeted explosion at a residential complex in Monaco near the French border on Monday evening. Monegaskic officials, including Christophe Mirmand, stated the blast is being treated as a probable attack. The primary target is believed to be Vadim Jermolajev, a Ukrainian real estate developer, according to reports from AFP and Le Figaro.
What happened in the Monaco explosion?
The explosion occurred around 9:00 p.m. local time on Rue Révérend-Père-Louis-Frolla. According to Mirmand, the device used in the blast contained bolts and shrapnel, suggesting a deliberate attempt to cause harm. Three members of a Ukrainian family were injured: a couple in their 50s and 60s who remain in critical condition, and a 13-year-old boy who sustained lighter injuries.
While the state prosecutor has not yet classified the event as an act of terrorism, the incident marks a rare security crisis for the principality. “It is the first time in history, as far as I know, that such an action happens in the principality,” Mirmand stated. Albert II condemned the event as an “abominable crime,” pledging that Monaco would remain firm against violence.
Who is Vadim Jermolajev?
Vadim Jermolajev is a Ukrainian businessman and one of the largest real estate developers in Dnipro. According to Meduza, citing Ukrainian outlet Novyny.Live, investigators are treating the incident as a potential assassination attempt. Before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Forbes Ukraine estimated his net worth at $221 million.
Jermolajev claimed in 2017 that he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in favor of a Cypriot passport. However, Ukrainian authorities imposed sanctions on him in 2023, citing allegations from the SBU that he continued business operations in Crimea under Russian law following the 2014 annexation.
How is the principality responding to the security threat?
Monaco has activated its “red plan,” a protocol designed to mobilize emergency resources during large-scale incidents. Security has been tightened across the two-square-kilometer territory, which is known for its extensive surveillance network. Local residents, including 24-year-old Luiz Felipe Iani and 12-year-old James, expressed shock at the violence.
Nice Mayor Éric Ciotti took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer his support, stating that the attack is a tragedy for the Monegasque people. Beyond the three direct victims, four other individuals required medical attention for cuts caused by windows shattered by the force of the blast.
Comparison: Official vs. Media Characterization
| Source | Primary Characterization |
|---|---|
| Christophe Mirmand | “Probable attack” |
| Monaco State Prosecutor | Not yet classified as “terrorism” |
| Meduza/Novyny.Live | “Assassination attempt” |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Was the attack terrorism? As of now, the Monaco state prosecutor has not officially classified the incident as an act of terrorism.
- Are there any suspects in custody? No. Authorities confirmed that the suspected perpetrator is currently on the run.
- How many people were injured? Three people were directly injured by the explosion, and four others received treatment for injuries caused by shattered glass.
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