Explosion in Munich; Ukrainian oligarch and his family injured. ‘Murder investigation underway; terrorism ruled out’

“This is not an attack that can be classified as terrorism.” This was stated by Monaco’s Attorney General regarding the explosion in which three Ukrainians were injured. Stéphane Thibault, Monaco’s Attorney General, confirmed at a press conference reported by BFM that “two of the victims” remain “in critical condition” this morning following last night’s explosion. The investigation, according to AFP, is continuing on charges of attempted murder.

A powerful explosion rocked the Principality of Monaco last night, injuring three Ukrainian nationals, two of whom are in a serious condition. According to the authorities, the blast was caused by a ‘malicious act’, Christophe Mirmand, Minister of State (Head of Government), told AFP. According to information from Le Figaro, all three of the injured are members of the same Ukrainian family. The parents, aged between 50 and 60 – one of whom is reportedly a Kiev oligarch, Vadim Ermolaev – are in a critical condition, with their prognosis uncertain. Their teenage son, aged 13, is in a less serious condition. Ermolaev has been a ‘VIP refugee’ in Monaco since the start of the war in Ukraine, according to a source close to the investigation. He was in his flat with his partner and son. ‘A heinous crime’, ‘a shock to the entire Monegasque community’, said Prince Albert II of Monaco in a statement, commenting on the incident. “The Principality of Monaco will remain united and resolute in the face of violence and crime,” he added. “The safety of our community has always been a priority; it will remain so more than ever, whatever the threats may be.”

According to a source close to the investigation, Vadim Ermolaev, a resident of Monaco, has been subject to sanctions since December 2023 following a decision by President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to various media outlets citing the Ukrainian security services, these sanctions stem from the multimillionaire’s decision to continue his alcohol trading activities in Crimea, a territory under Russian occupation.

Attorney General Stéphane Thibault told AFP that the explosive device had been found in a bag or parcel left by someone in the building’s lobby before they left. According to investigators, this is not believed to be a case of terrorism, so the investigation is proceeding on the grounds of murder.

Around fifty firefighters, including about ten French reinforcements, were mobilised to assist the injured. At the same time, 84 police officers were deployed to secure the area. According to sources close to the French Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, ‘a police operation has been launched to find the perpetrator, who is still at large’. According to Mirmand, some witnesses have provided information to help identify him, and he has been spotted on CCTV footage from Monaco and Beausoleil, the neighbouring French town which he reached on foot. The explosion occurred at around 9 pm in a residential building situated between Boulevard d’Italie and Rue du Révérend Père Louis Frolla, along the border with France. CCTV cameras captured an individual placing a rucksack in front of the building’s entrance. As the man fled on foot towards the neighbouring town of Beausoleil, the device detonated just as other people were entering the same building, although it is unclear whether they were the intended target. The device probably contained bolts and shrapnel, Mr Mirmand added. “The police are currently gathering evidence,” he explained. “To my knowledge, this is the first time in history that such an act has taken place in the Principality,” added the Minister of State. The emergency services, the police and the security forces have been mobilised. In addition to Mirmand and Thibault, the President of the National Council and a close aide to Prince Albert II were present at the scene.