A Ukrainian multimillionaire targeted in an apparent assassination attempt in Monaco was with his London-based alleged lover when the bomb detonated, leaving her with severe injuries including the loss of both legs.
Victims and Injuries
Vadim Ermolaev, 58, also known as Vadym Yermolaiev, is fighting for his life alongside his son and Anna Nasobina, 46, after the explosion. Nasobina, originally from Dnipro, Ukraine, describes herself as a London-based director. Initial reports mistakenly identified the injured woman as Ermolaev's wife, Anna Ermolaev, 56, but she was abroad at the time and told Suspline: 'We are currently in a state of severe stress and are actively cooperating with the investigation and law enforcement agencies.'
The Attack
The explosion occurred around 10pm on Monday at the entrance of the Cuomo Foundation, a philanthropic organization in Monaco. CCTV footage allegedly shows a suspect dropping off bags shortly before the blast. The backpack was believed to be filled with nuts and bolts. According to French daily Le Figaro, the attack appears to have been more of a 'warning' than a deliberate attempt at murder.
Eyewitness Account
Silvano Ippolito, who lives across from the building, described hearing the explosion and seeing a little boy on the ground being attended to by others. He called his wife, a doctor, who provided first aid to the badly wounded woman. 'She intervened very quickly, before the emergency services arrived, to apply tourniquets and perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, as the woman was losing consciousness,' Ippolito said. A man came out of the building covered in blood and staggering, and as he tried to go down the stairs, the staircase collapsed, causing him to fall on Ippolito's wife and a firefighter.
Background of the Target
Ermolaev was sanctioned by the Ukrainian government in 2023 for selling alcohol to Russians in occupied Crimea. He has denied these accusations, claiming Russia seized his grape-growing and cognac enterprise. He took up residence in Monaco after Ukraine was invaded and was filmed for a documentary living a lavish lifestyle, driving Bentleys, buying megayachts, and luxury villas—a scandal for Ukrainians living at war back home.
Official Statements
'It appears that the family was specifically targeted,' said Christophe Mirmand, the minister of state for Monaco. He said the suspect 'had walked around the area several times while waiting for the victims,' according to surveillance footage. Police said the suspect, wearing a black hat, tracksuit, white jeans, and trainers, was spotted fleeing towards the border in the nearby French town of Beausoleil.
Broader Context
Russia has a long history of targeting its enemies abroad, and Western intelligence officials have recently said that a campaign of targeted killings has ramped up since President Vladimir Putin's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
