A manhunt was launched in Monaco on Tuesday after an explosive device detonated and injured a Ukrainian billionaire along with several other people in the tiny principality. Authorities described the blast as a targeted attack, confirming that the device appeared to have been packed with metal bolts and pellets designed to maximise harm.
The Attack
The explosion occurred in Monaco, the small sovereign city-state on the French Riviera known for its luxury lifestyle and status as home to some of Europe’s wealthiest residents. The head of Monaco’s government confirmed that investigators believe the device was deliberately placed and that the Ukrainian national was the intended target. Details about the victim’s identity were not immediately disclosed publicly.
Several other people in the vicinity at the time of the blast sustained injuries. Emergency services responded rapidly and the injured were transported to hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, no fatalities had been reported, though the condition of some victims remained unclear.
Investigation Under Way
Monaco police, working in coordination with French authorities, launched a manhunt for the suspected perpetrator or perpetrators. Security footage from across the principality — one of the most heavily surveilled territories in the world — was being reviewed as part of the investigation. Officials said they had leads but made no immediate arrests.
The use of a fragmentation-style device loaded with bolts and pellets was described by security analysts as consistent with targeted attacks rather than opportunistic violence. Such methods have previously appeared in cases linked to organised crime or state-sponsored operations.
Growing Concern Over Security of Prominent Ukrainians Abroad
The attack comes amid heightened international concern about the safety of prominent Ukrainian nationals living in Europe. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several Ukrainian businesspeople and political figures living abroad have reported receiving threats. European intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned of attempts by hostile actors to intimidate or harm prominent Ukrainians on European soil. Monaco authorities did not publicly speculate on a motive, but described the incident as a serious criminal matter requiring the highest level of attention.
