An explosive device detonated at the entrance of a residential building in Monaco on June 29, injuring three individuals, among them Vadym Yermolaiev, a Ukrainian-born oligarch under Ukrainian sanctions, his family members, and a 13-year-old child [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The blast occurred around 9 p.m. local time and was caused by an improvised device containing metallic shrapnel such as bolts and pellets [1, 6].
Authorities in Monaco are treating the incident as a deliberate attack and opened an investigation into attempted murder. Christophe Mirmand, Monaco’s Minister of State, said, "It is very likely an attack. This is the first time in history, to my knowledge, that such an act has taken place in the principality." Eric Ciotti, Mayor of Nice, described it as "a tragedy for Monaco" [1, 2].
Police released CCTV footage showing 39-year-old Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian woman disguised as a man, dropping a backpack containing the bomb just before it exploded. Berezovska is now wanted through Interpol with a Red Notice issued on July 3 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Separately, on June 30 or July 1 morning, a roadside bomb exploded beneath a culvert on Highway 42 near Kampung Phrai Wan in Tak Bai, Narathiwat Province, Thailand, injuring two Malaysian men traveling in a Proton X50 vehicle [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. The victims, Abdullah Syarapi Abd Rahman (45) from Kelantan and Muhammad Yusri Udin (38) from Sabah, suffered shrapnel wounds and fractures but were conscious when rescued and treated at Narathiwat Hospital [8, 9, 10, 11]. Abdullah said, "It feels like a miracle that we survived. Alhamdulillah, we are safe, but we are still in shock over what happened. Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us a longer life" [11]. They are expected to return to Malaysia for further care.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Malaysia between July 9 and 10 to discuss southern border security among other issues [12]. High-level peace talks between Malaysia and Thailand focusing on the southern border provinces are expected in September, aiming for a joint declaration [12].
