Edith Hejberg
The undersea explosions occurred on 26 September 2022, damaging three of the four pipelines that transport Russian natural gas to Europe.
German authorities are requesting the extradition of a Ukrainian man arrested in Poland in connection with the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines.
The suspect is believed to have played a direct role in planting explosives beneath the Baltic Sea.
Arrest Made in Poland
The man, referred to as Volodymyr Z in Polish media and Vladimir Z by German officials, was detained near Warsaw. The arrest was carried out under a European arrest warrant issued by Germany, which links him to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline attack.
Accused of Participating in Undersea Sabotage
According to Germany’s federal court of justice, the man was part of a group that placed explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022. Authorities say he was involved in the actual dives needed to carry out the sabotage.
Yacht Rented With Forged Documents
Investigators allege the group used a sailing yacht rented from a German company through intermediaries who relied on forged identification documents. The boat reportedly departed from Rostock, a northern German port.
Explosions Heightened Geopolitical Tensions
The undersea explosions occurred on 26 September 2022, damaging three of the four pipelines that transport Russian natural gas to Europe. The incident worsened an already strained energy crisis, as the war in Ukraine entered its seventh month.
Suspect’s Lawyer Questions Legal Grounds
The suspect’s lawyer, Tymoteusz Paprocki, confirmed the arrest and told Polish broadcaster TVN24 he planned to argue that no Ukrainian should be prosecuted for attacks on pipelines used to fund Russia’s war. He emphasized the political context of the Nord Stream project.
Nord Stream 2 Was Never Activated
Although Nord Stream 2 was fully constructed, it never went into operation. Germany froze the certification process in February 2022, following Russia’s recognition of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. The pipeline has remained idle ever since.
Russia Blames Ukraine, Demands Investigation
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia expected Germany to complete its investigation, again asserting that Moscow blames Ukraine for the attack. Russia has previously claimed the pipeline can be repaired.
Early Theories Pointed to Russian Involvement
In the immediate aftermath of the explosions, many suspected Russia had sabotaged its own infrastructure. However, German investigators have since shifted focus to a Ukrainian group of six people they believe orchestrated the operation.
Ukraine Denies Any Involvement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly denied any state involvement in the sabotage. He stated that Kyiv had no knowledge of plans to attack the Nord Stream pipelines and rejected the notion of Ukrainian responsibility.
Another Ukrainian Arrested in Italy
Last month, a second suspect, Serhii Kuznietsov, was arrested in Italy while on vacation. He, too, faces extradition to Germany. Investigators say he was involved in forging documents used to charter the yacht employed in the sabotage.
Operation Carried Out Near Danish Island
The actual sabotage is believed to have occurred near the island of Bornholm, situated between Denmark and Sweden in the Baltic Sea. This location is close to where the damaged pipelines were discovered following the blasts.
Extradition Proceedings Could Take Time
The extradition process from Poland is now underway, though it could take weeks or months to resolve. Meanwhile, Germany’s investigation continues as officials seek to determine the full scope and motive behind the Nord Stream attack.
This article is made and published by Edith Hejberg, which may have used AI in the preparation
