A manhunt is underway in the Mediterranean principality of Monaco after a bomb explosion injured a Ukrainian oligarch at a luxury resort. The attack, which police describe as a targeted assassination attempt, has sent shockwaves through the playground of the super-rich and raised questions about security in the tiny state.
The blast occurred just before 10 pm local time at the Hotel de Paris, a Belle Epoque landmark overlooking the Monte Carlo Casino. The victim, identified as Roman Abramovych, a 52-year-old Ukrainian businessman with ties to the country's energy sector, was entering the hotel's private car park when a device attached to a nearby vehicle was detonated remotely. He suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs and torso and is in a stable condition at the Princess Grace Hospital.
Monaco's police force, the Sûreté Publique, has sealed off the area and launched a dragnet for at least two suspects seen fleeing on a scooter. Witnesses described hearing a loud bang followed by screams. "It sounded like a firework, but then the alarms started," said one hotel guest. "People were running. It was chaos."
This is not the first time violence has touched the ultra-wealthy enclave. In 2018, a Russian businessman was shot dead outside his villa. But the use of a bomb in such a public place marks a worrying escalation. The oligarch, who made his fortune in the post-Soviet privatisation of Ukraine's gas industry, had been living in Monaco for several years. He is not currently under Western sanctions, but his wealth and connections have long put him in the spotlight.
French and Italian authorities have been alerted, and border checks are being tightened. Monaco's prince, Albert II, has been briefed and is said to be monitoring the situation closely. The motive remains unclear, but investigators are exploring links to business disputes, political vendettas, or the ongoing war in Ukraine. The victim is known to have donated to Ukrainian charities and has been critical of the Kremlin.
For the residents of Monaco, this attack on one of their own is a stark reminder that fame and fortune offer no protection against modern terrorism. For the wider world, it is a signal that the long arm of conflict in Eastern Europe can reach even the most exclusive corners of the globe. The hunt for the bombers continues.
