Monaco, known for its luxury and security, experienced a shocking event when a parcel bomb exploded on a Monday evening in late June 2026. The blast occurred around 9 p.m. in the entryway of a residential building, injuring three people: two adults and a 13-year-old. The device was packed with metal spheres and screws to cause maximum harm. Two other people were hurt by flying glass.
Emergency services responded quickly, with about 50 firefighters and 80 police officers at the scene. Three victims were taken to hospitals in Nice, France. Initially, the two adults had life-threatening injuries, while the teenager was moderately injured. By Tuesday, one adult was stable, but the other two remained in serious condition. Police have not yet interviewed the injured.
The intended target was identified as Vadym Yermolaiev, a wealthy Ukrainian businessman who built the Alef Group. He had become a Cypriot citizen and lived in Monaco since 2021. Yermolaiev faced economic restrictions from Ukraine's President Zelenskyy due to alleged business in Russian-controlled Crimea, which he denies. His son, Artur, was recently convicted of running a large phone fraud scheme.
Monaco's prosecutor stated the attack was not extremist but an attempted homicide. Security cameras showed a suspect leaving the package and escaping towards Beausoleil, France. French and Monegasque investigators are working together to find the suspect. The attack is unprecedented for Monaco, and Prince Albert II condemned it, promising to protect the public. Residents are now concerned about their safety in the once-secure city-state.