"The aim was to kill us all": Yermolayev accused GUR officers of the explosion in Monaco

Sanctioned businessman Vadim Yermolaev, who together with his family was injured as a result of the explosion in Monaco, publicly accused serving employees of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine of being involved in the assassination attempt. This is stated in his written statement, which the French publication published Nice-Matin.

The letter, dated 15 July 2026, was handed to the editorial office by the Ukrainian law firm Dynasty Law & Investment, which represents Yermolaev. Its authenticity was confirmed by the businessman’s lawyer in Monaco.

Yermolaev claims that he reviewed investigative materials that allegedly indicate the direct participation of serving GUR officers. According to him, people close to the current or former leadership of military intelligence may have been involved in the operation. At the same time, no evidence to support these accusations has been publicly presented. The businessman called for a full, independent and transparent investigation, stressing that his appeal is not directed against Ukraine or the Ukrainian people. Despite the accusations against the intelligence service, he thanked President Volodymyr Zelensky for paying attention to the case and for the assistance provided.

The explosion occurred on the evening of 29 June near a residential building in Monaco, when Yermolaev, his wife and their 13-year-old son were returning home. The explosive device was hidden in a package or backpack left near the entrance. Monaco law enforcement are investigating the incident as an attempted murder, not as a terrorist act. According to Yermolaev, all three sustained serious injuries. He remains in hospital; his wife suffered injuries with irreversible consequences, and their son suffered burns and fractures.

“Their goal was to kill all three of us”, — the businessman said.

He called on the authorities of Monaco, France and Ukraine to guarantee protection for his family, lawyers and witnesses. He also thanked Prince Albert II, French President Emmanuel Macron and law enforcement for their assistance.

Sanctions against Yermolaev were imposed by Ukraine in December 2023. In particular, they include asset freezes, cessation of trade operations and other restrictions for a period of ten years. Official documents state that he is a citizen of Cyprus. There has been no public response from the GUR to Yermolaev‘s statement so far.

Earlier we wrote:

• Suspect in the assassination attempt on oligarch Yermolaev shot dead: among those detained was allegedly a GUR officer
• The SBU thwarted an RF plan: an ex-serviceman for $100,000 prepared the murder of a GUR representative using an FPV drone
• They wanted a “gift” for May 9: the SBU thwarted an attempt on a high-ranking Naval officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Odesa
• He valued his ex-wife’s life at $10,000: pensioner suspected of ordering a murder
• Cigarettes with a “surprise”: in Odesa Russian special services prepared a terrorist attack using a drone