Monaco Explosion: The Case of a Ukrainian Businessman
On June 29, an explosion rocked Monaco, leaving Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his companion Hanna Nasobina, and their 13-year-old son injured. According to sources, the 58-year-old Yermolaiev, who is under sanctions, has emerged from a coma and is now hospitalized in Marseille. Nasobina, 46, originally from Dnipro, remains in critical condition: both of her legs were amputated, and she required massive blood transfusions. She also faces the risk of losing her sight, hearing, and ability to speak. Yermolaiev’s official wife, Hanna Yermolaieva, was unharmed as she was elsewhere at the time of the incident. The couple’s son sustained injuries but is now out of danger.
Incident Details
The blast occurred around 9:00 PM in the lobby of an apartment building on Rue Révérend-Père-Louis-Folla in Monte Carlo. Monaco’s prosecutor, Stéphane Thibault, stated that terrorism is not being considered as a motive. Investigators have learned that the female suspect, who disguised herself as a man, had scouted the location in advance and followed the family on the day of the attack. She left a bag containing an explosive device—packed with bolts and metal shot—near the entrance. The explosion also sent four other individuals to the hospital suffering from shock.
The primary suspect is Ukrainian citizen Anastasiia Berezovska, who is now on Interpol’s international wanted list. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has opened a criminal investigation into the assassination attempt. Investigative hypotheses include:
- possible involvement of organized crime,
- possible foreign interference or a warning attempt rather than a murder plot.
The investigation is ongoing, and details of the incident remain under review.
This incident highlights the precarious situation faced by Ukrainian businessmen abroad, especially amid international political tensions.
The Monaco explosion draws attention to potential threats against Ukrainian citizens, and the investigation may uncover deeper ties to organized crime or other international criminal networks. The unfolding events will be crucial for understanding the scale and causes of this attack.
The recent explosion in Monaco, which severely injured a Ukrainian family, highlights the growing concerns about safety in the region. For more details on a similar incident affecting another Ukrainian family, you can read about the explosion that struck their home here.