Explosive Device In Monaco Reportedly Hits Ukrainian Mogul And His Family

An explosion in Monaco hit a Ukrainian magnate and his family, according to different reports. The incident took place in an apartment building, with the suspected attacker fleeing on foot into France.

Monaco’s Prince Albert II said the explosion was an “odious act,” adding that the country’s services had been mobilized. Monaco’s most senior government official, Minister of State Christophe Mirmand, told media that authorities could “assume” the explosion was an assassination attempt.

“They were caught in the explosion as they crossed the threshold of their apartment building,” he added. “It appears that the family was specifically targeted.”

Mirmand went on to say that the perpetrator appeared to be “waiting for the victims,” and, right before the explosion he “was apparently waiting for the victims.”

Attorney General Stéphane Thibault said a terrorist motive was ruled out.

Ukrainian outlet Pravda said one of those injured is construction mogul Vadym Iermolaiev. He was sanctioned by Ukraine in 2023 over alleged ties to Russia. His wife and their 13-year-old son were also wounded. Iermolaiev said he renounced his Ukrainian citizenship and became a Cypriot in 20217.

Ukraine has also called long-range strikes deep inside Russia sanctions as it continues to target the country. President Vladimir Putin admitted there are fuel shortages in the country as a result.

Speaking to a Russian state TV reporter, Putin said there is a “certain deficit” of fuel as a result of Kyiv’s offensive and vowed to protect the sites.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, said the country’s “‘long-range sanctions'” most recently “reached two oil refineries in Russia,” adding that each one of them “means a reduction in the resources that fuel the Russian war machine, and another step toward peace.” One of them took place in Slavyansk-na-Kubani, a town in Russia’s Krasnodar region, east of Crimea. The other is located in the Yaroslavl region.

Strikes have been increasingly effective, particularly in the occupied Crimea. Authorities there last week declared a state of emergency to deal with the situation.

Peninsula head Sergei Aksyonov said on Telegram that the decision will allow authorities to make it easier to make decisions that stabilize the region. Authorities didn’t elaborate on what the measure will entail.

Crimea recently halted gas sales for civilians indefinitely, with Aksyonov saying they are needed to “ensure the functioning and security of the Republic of Crimea.”

The city of Sevastopol last Monday announced “enforced temporary measures” to address the situation, including the end of public transport after 10 p.m. and the closure of large shops and cafes two hours earlier. Street lights will also be turned off during parts of the day.