A former Ukrainian army officer is standing trial in Germany for his alleged role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022. The suspect, identified as Serhii K. in court but previously named Serhii Kuznietsov, faces charges including causing explosions, property damage, disrupting public services, and being an accomplice to war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure.
The explosions on September 26, 2022, severely damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which transported Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Prosecutors claim the attack aimed to permanently disrupt gas supplies and hinder Russia's ability to fund its military operations. The defendant allegedly organized the detonation of at least four bombs weighing between 14 and 27 kilograms at a depth of 70 to 80 meters near the Danish island of Bornholm.
The suspect was arrested in 2025 in an Italian village and extradited to Germany in November. A second suspect was detained in Croatia and is currently fighting extradition by seeking asylum. The trial, held under strict security at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg, has 16 scheduled dates through December 17, with additional sessions planned for early 2027.
The German government has avoided commenting on the trial, emphasizing that no verdict has been reached. The case has drawn international attention, with various parties, including Russia, the U.S., and Ukraine, making conflicting claims about responsibility for the sabotage.