Lead
An explosion at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco on June 29 has left three members of the same family seriously injured, according to reports from TASS. The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. local time (7 p.m. GMT). Preliminary reports indicate the explosive device was filled with bolts and metal pellets. The attack has drawn international attention, with ongoing investigations into the suspect and possible motives.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from TASS—the only news agency whose coverage was examined for this article—provide a consistent account of the explosion and its victims. All reports confirm that Vadim Yermolayev, a Cypriot citizen, was among the injured. TASS articles also uniformly note Yermolayev's background: he was included in Ukrainian media on a list of the wealthiest Ukrainian businesspeople, renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019, and was sanctioned by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council in 2023.
The coverage diverges on the suspect and motive. One article, citing the French newspaper Le Figaro, suggests that the suspect is a 30-year-old Ukrainian woman residing in Germany. According to that report, she fled toward the commune of Beausoleil in southern France and later crossed into a neighboring country. France Info, as cited by TASS, believes she has fled to Italy. Another TASS article, citing Ukrainska Pravda and law enforcement sources, speculates that the attack may have been organized by the criminal world, potentially linked to fraudulent call centers in Dnepr. A third report mentions that the Monaco Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the incident as an "attempted murder."
Key Claims
- Explosion and victims: An explosion occurred in Monaco, injuring three members of the same family. All were in serious condition, according to local emergency services.
- Victim identity: Vadim Yermolayev, a Cypriot citizen, was one of the victims, as reported by BFMTV and cited by TASS. Yermolayev was formerly included on a list of the wealthiest Ukrainian businesspeople.
- Citizenship and sanctions: Yermolayev renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019 and obtained a Cypriot passport. In 2023, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council imposed sanctions against him.
- Suspect details: According to Le Figaro, citing an anonymous source, the suspect is a 30-year-old Ukrainian woman residing in Germany who fled toward Beausoleil and then into a neighboring country. France Info believes she has fled to Italy.
- Possible motive: Ukrainska Pravda, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the attack may have been linked to fraudulent call centers in Dnepr. Another report, citing Comments.ua, suggested the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) may have staged the assassination attempt to gain control over call centers associated with Yermolayev and to prevent his political interference. These claims remain unconfirmed.
Perspectives
The available reports offer two distinct theories regarding the attack's motive, though neither has been officially confirmed.
- Criminal world theory: Ukrainska Pravda, citing law enforcement sources, suggested the attack may have been organized by criminal elements, potentially linked to fraudulent call centers in Dnepr. This perspective points to a possible business-related motive.
- SBU involvement theory: According to Le Figaro, investigators are inclined to believe the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is behind the crime. The publication Comments.ua similarly proposed that the SBU may have staged the attack to take control of call centers in Dnipropetrovsk and prevent Yermolayev's political interference in the future.