Lead

An explosion in the entrance hall of a residential building in Monaco on June 29 injured three people, including Ukrainian businessman Vadim Yermolayev. The suspect in the bombing is believed to be in one of the European countries, according to a source quoted by BFMTV, as reported by TASS. The blast has prompted a cross-border manhunt and drawn public statements from regional officials about the potential for further attacks.

Coverage Comparison

Reports on the incident, as carried by TASS, present a consistent core of facts but vary in emphasis. One account focuses on the investigation's theory that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was behind the attack, citing French newspaper Le Figaro. Another report highlights a statement by Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), who called the bombing a precursor to a wave of terrorist attacks across Europe. A third account, based on BFMTV's reporting, details the suspect's possible location and the ongoing search efforts.

The investigation, led by Monaco's authorities, has not been officially classified as a terrorist attack. Monaco Attorney General Stephane Thibault said at a press conference that authorities were leaning towards attempted murder, according to TASS. Investigators are reportedly inclined to believe that the SBU is behind the crime, according to Le Figaro, as cited by TASS.

Key Claims

  • An explosion occurred in the entrance hall of a residential building in Monaco on June 29, injuring three people, including Vadim Yermolayev, a Cypriot citizen described by media as one of Ukraine's wealthiest businessmen.
  • Yermolayev renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019 and was sanctioned by Kiev in 2023, according to TASS. Reports also said he owned a network of fraudulent call centers in Ukraine.
  • The suspect in the bombing is in one of the European countries, according to a source quoted by BFMTV, as reported by TASS. The source said it is not Monaco or France. Judicial authorities in Monaco have used international communication channels.
  • Monaco Attorney General Stephane Thibault said at a press conference on July 2 that the incident was not classified as a terrorist attack, but leaned towards attempted murder, according to TASS.
  • Investigators are inclined to believe the SBU is behind the crime, according to Le Figaro, as cited by TASS. The newspaper also said the attack looks more like a 'warning' than a premeditated murder attempt.
  • The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported finding the body of Anastasia Berezovskaya, who was suspected of carrying out the attempted assassination, near Kiev, according to TASS. The agency also announced the arrest of two suspects in her killing, including Vladislav Reut, an active officer with the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine's Defense Ministry, and Vitaly Zhikovich, a former Ukrainian law enforcement officer.
  • On July 15, the French newspaper Nice-Matin published a letter from Yermolayev in which he accused the GUR of involvement in the attempted assassination, as reported by TASS.

Perspectives

Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) – Denis Pushilin

Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, stated in an interview with TASS that the bombing in Monaco was a precursor to a wave of terrorist attacks that the Kiev government will carry out across Europe. He said he was "totally convinced" that Kiev could stage more attacks and warned that Europe may already be too late to respond.

Monaco Attorney General

Monaco Attorney General Stephane Thibault said at a press conference that authorities did not classify the incident as a terrorist attack and were leaning towards attempted murder. He said that besides Yermolayev, his companion was seriously injured, losing a leg and both feet, according to TASS.

Investigators (per Le Figaro)

According to Le Figaro, several sources indicated that investigators are inclined to believe the SBU was behind the crime. The newspaper suggested the attack looked more like a 'warning' than a premeditated murder attempt.

Yermolayev's letter (per Nice-Matin)

In a letter published by Nice-Matin on July 15, Yermolayev accused the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of Ukraine's Defense Ministry of involvement in the attempted assassination, as reported by TASS.