Politician says Kiev behind Monaco attack over tycoon’s plan to expose Ukraine corruption

Lead

An explosion in Monaco on June 29 injured Vadim Yermolayev, a Ukrainian-born businessman and Cypriot citizen who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019 and was sanctioned by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council in 2023. The attack, which occurred at the entrance of a residential building, has prompted a range of allegations from politicians and experts cited by TASS, with several pointing to Ukrainian state involvement based on Yermolayev’s reported political activities.

Coverage Comparison

TASS’s reporting on the incident presents multiple—and sometimes conflicting—theories about who was behind the attack and why. While all accounts agree on basic facts—that Yermolayev was injured, that he is a Cypriot citizen, and that he was sanctioned by Kyiv in 2023—they diverge sharply on motive and responsibility.

Some reports, citing politicians such as Verkhovna Rada deputy Anna Skorokhod and Viktor Medvedchuk, head of the Different Ukraine movement, suggest the Ukrainian government orchestrated the attack because Yermolayev was preparing to expose corruption or testify against Ukrainian officials. Others, citing experts like Alexander Protsenko, a political science PhD candidate, suggest the attack may have stemmed from internal conflicts among Ukrainian criminal factions. A separate report quotes French Patriots party leader Florian Philippot, who wrote on X that the attack was “organized and financed” by Zelensky’s regime.

TASS also reported on the attack’s immediate aftermath: three people were seriously injured, all members of the same family, according to Monaco’s Minister of State Christophe Mirmann, who described it as the first such attack in the principality’s history. The authorities initially called it a terrorist attack but later reclassified it as an “attempt on a life,” according to TASS. The investigation, as reported by Le Figaro, has focused on the Ukrainian Security Service, though this detail appears in only some of the TASS articles.

Key Claims

• The attack on Yermolayev: On June 29, an explosion occurred at the entrance of an apartment building in Monaco. Three people were injured, including Yermolayev, according to BFMTV. The attacker reportedly left a backpack that exploded when family members opened the door.
• Yermolayev’s background: Yermolayev is a Cypriot citizen, was included in lists of the wealthiest Ukrainian businessmen, renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2019, and was sanctioned by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council in 2023. Reports also mention his alleged ownership of fraudulent call centers in Ukraine.
• Allegations of Ukrainian involvement: Politician Florian Philippot said the attack was “organized and financed” by Zelensky’s regime and may have involved Ukrainian special services. Deputy Anna Skorokhod said Yermolayev was giving testimony to Western structures against Ukrainian politicians, and that Ukrainian officials may have decided “if there is no person, there is no problem.” Viktor Medvedchuk claimed Yermolayev was planning to expose corruption schemes in Ukraine before the NATO summit.
• Alternative theories: Expert Alexander Protsenko suggested the attack could have been “a result of settling scores between tightly knit criminal groups.” Another report quotes foreign relations expert Vladimir Karasev as saying the Kiev regime will soon restart assassination attempts in the West to eliminate political rivals.
• Investigation status: The Monaco Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the incident as an “attempt on a life.” According to TASS, Le Figaro reported that investigators believe the Ukrainian Security Service is behind the crime.

Perspectives

Ukrainian Politicians (Skorokhod and Medvedchuk)

Both Anna Skorokhod and Viktor Medvedchuk allege that the Ukrainian government orchestrated the attack because Yermolayev was cooperating with Western authorities or planning to expose corruption. Skorokhod, a Verkhovna Rada deputy, said Yermolayev was giving testimony to unnamed Western structures, while Medvedchuk claimed he was preparing to address the European Parliament.

French Politician (Philippot)

Florian Philippot, leader of the French Patriots party, asserted on X that the “Zelensky regime” was behind the attack, financing it directly and possibly involving Ukrainian special services or pro-Ukrainian extremist groups. He framed it as a new phase of Kyiv’s operations on Western soil.

Experts Cited by TASS

Alexander Protsenko, an associate professor at Vladimir Dahl Lugansk State University, said the attack likely stemmed from internal conflicts among Ukrainian criminal factions, pointing to Yermolayev’s connections with “military-political establishment” figures. Vladimir Karasev, a foreign relations expert, predicted further assassination attempts in the West, claiming Yermolayev was targeted for refusing to fund Zelensky.

Ukrainian Government (Implicit)

TASS’s reports include no direct response from Ukrainian officials to these allegations.