Ukrainian Citizen Arrested Over 2022 Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions

Misano Adriatico, Italy / Berlin(WMF) – A Ukrainian citizen suspected of coordinating the 2022 undersea explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany has been arrested, German federal prosecutors confirmed on Thursday. The suspect, identified only as Serhii K. in accordance with German privacy laws, was detained in Italy’s Rimini province following a European arrest warrant issued by Germany’s Federal Court of Justice.

Alleged Sabotage and Arrest Details

• Prosecutors said Serhii K. is believed to have helped orchestrate the explosions which occurred on September 26, 2022, ripping through the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines under the Baltic Sea. The sabotage exacerbated Europe’s energy crisis and heightened geopolitical tensions as the continent sought alternatives to Russian gas.
• He is accused of collaborating with a group that rented a yacht from Rostock, Germany—using forged identification—and deployed explosives to breach the pipelines. Investigators have linked him to charges including sabotage, infrastructure destruction, and anti-constitutional offenses.
• Germany’s Justice Minister, Stefanie Hubig, hailed the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the long-standing investigation.

Background and International Response

• Following the blasts, which sent plumes of methane into the Baltic Sea, European governments quickly denounced the incident as sabotage. While initial inquiries were launched by Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, only the German investigation remained active as the others were closed by early 2024.
• Russia has publicly blamed Western governments for the blasts—accusations that were firmly rejected by the U.S.—while Ukraine has denied any involvement.

Next Steps

Serhii K. is expected to be extradited to Germany, where he will appear before an investigating judge. Prosecutors have not released details about potential co-conspirators or motives, and it remains unclear whether additional arrests will follow.

- Published By WMF News