A coordinated bomb attack in the heart of Monaco has targeted a prominent Ukrainian oligarch, prompting an international investigation that now includes assistance from British authorities. The explosion, which occurred on Tuesday morning near the Monte Carlo Casino, has left the victim critically injured and sent shockwaves through the principality’s elite circles.
According to preliminary reports from the Monaco Directorate of Public Security, the attack involved a remotely detonated device placed under the oligarch’s armoured vehicle. The blast occurred as the businessman, identified as Viktor Shevchenko, was entering the car outside a luxury hotel. Shevchenko, 57, has been a key figure in Ukraine’s energy sector and maintains close ties to the government in Kyiv. He was immediately rushed to the Princess Grace Hospital, where he remains in intensive care. Two bodyguards sustained minor injuries.
British police have been called in to support the investigation, a move that underscores the international dimensions of the case. The Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command has deployed specialist officers to Monaco, working alongside French and Italian authorities. The decision to involve British forces follows intelligence suggesting that individuals linked to the attack may have ties to organised crime networks operating across Europe, including London.
Monaco, a sovereign city-state known for its strict security protocols, has rarely seen such brazen acts of violence. The principality’s police force has established roadblocks and is conducting forensic sweeps of the area. “This is an unprecedented event for Monaco,” said a spokesperson for the Directorate of Public Security. “We are cooperating closely with all relevant agencies to bring those responsible to justice.”
The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from Ukrainian officials. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office released a statement calling it a “cowardly act of terror” and urging international cooperation to track down the perpetrators. Shevchenko has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine’s war effort against Russian aggression, and his businesses have been instrumental in funding military supplies. Some analysts have speculated that the attack could be linked to Russian interests, although no group has claimed responsibility.
British involvement stems from a parallel investigation into money laundering activities that may be connected to the oligarch’s business empire. Scotland Yard sources confirmed that they had been monitoring a network of shell companies and property transactions involving Shevchenko and associates. The bomb attack has now accelerated these inquiries. “We are providing expertise in financial crime and counter-terrorism,” a senior Metropolitan Police officer said. “This is a complex case with tentacles reaching into multiple jurisdictions.”
The manhunt has focused on three suspects seen fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. Two of them were captured on CCTV entering France via the A8 motorway. Interpol has issued a red notice for the individuals, believed to be former military personnel of Eastern European origin. Forensic teams have recovered fragments of the explosive device, which initial assessments suggest was military-grade C4.
The attack raises profound questions about security in Monaco, a jurisdiction that has long marketed itself as a safe haven for the wealthy. The principality’s police chief acknowledged that vulnerabilities had been exposed and announced a review of security procedures at public events and high-profile locations. “We will not allow this attack to erode the confidence of those who live and work here,” he insisted.
For the Ukrainian oligarch’s family, the focus remains on his recovery. His wife, Olena Shevchenko, issued a brief statement appealing for privacy and thanking medical staff. “We are praying for Viktor’s survival,” she said. “We trust the authorities to do everything in their power to find those who did this.”
The investigation is in its early stages, but the convergence of British police, Interpol, and European agencies marks a significant international response. Whether this collaboration will yield swift arrests or prove to be a protracted inquiry remains to be seen. What is clear is that the attack has shattered the illusion of invulnerability surrounding Monaco’s privileged enclave, and the reverberations will be felt far beyond its borders.
