Ukrainian officer tried in Germany for Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

A former Ukrainian army officer is on trial in Germany for the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany.

A former Ukrainian army officer, identified in court as Serhii K., went on trial in Hamburg on 14 October for the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines on 26 September 2022. Three of the four pipeline strands between Russia and Germany were blown up, causing massive methane releases in the Baltic Sea near Bornholm.

The suspect faces charges of causing an explosion, damaging property, disrupting public service and being an accomplice to war crimes by attacking civilian infrastructure. Prosecutors say the aim was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using the revenues to finance its military operations in Ukraine. He was arrested in Italy in August 2025 on a European arrest warrant and extradited to Germany.

The case is politically sensitive. While observers initially blamed Moscow, there are now suggestions that Ukrainian state security agencies may have been involved, raising questions for Germany, one of Ukraine's closest allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly denied Ukraine's involvement, telling reporters in August that 'Ukraine has never officially taken part in any operation related to the blowing up of Nord Stream'.

How it is being reported

• Nord Stream: Trial of Ukrainian attack suspect begins in GermanyA Ukrainian citizen faces court in Hamburg, accused of attacking the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022. It raises questions about Kyiv's possible role in the explosions. German support for Ukraine is also under scrutiny.DW News · 13 Oct, 13:40
• What to know about the Nord Stream pipeline explosions trial opening in Germany this weekA former Ukrainian army officer is going on trial in Germany over undersea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany four years agoIndependent World · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Serhii K. · Ukraine · Germany · Russia · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Hamburg · Nord Stream · Baltic Sea

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