Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Zelenskyy Denies Ukraine Role in Nord Stream Blast
The Nord Stream gas pipelines were damaged by explosions in September 2022.
The pipelines carried gas from Russia toward Europe.
Germany is investigating who caused the explosions.
German authorities say two Ukrainian nationals may have been involved.
One suspect, Vladimir Z., was arrested in Croatia.
Another Ukrainian suspect, Serhii K., was previously arrested in Italy and taken to Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine had no role in the operation.
He said Ukraine is willing to help investigators understand what happened.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was not involved in planning or carrying out the Nord Stream sabotage.
Croatian police arrested Ukrainian national Vladimir Z. at Germany’s request over alleged involvement in the 2022 pipeline explosions.
German authorities allege Vladimir Z. was a trained scuba diver in a group that used explosives near Denmark’s Bornholm island.
Ukrainian national Serhii K. was arrested in Italy last year and extradited to Germany, where he was later charged.
Russia has blamed the United States, Ukraine and Poland, while Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to help clarify the investigation.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German investigators and two Ukrainian suspects identified as Vladimir Z. and Serhii K.
- What
- An investigation is examining the sabotage and explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.
- When
- The explosions occurred in September 2022; Vladimir Z. was arrested in Croatia after Germany requested his arrest, and the report was published in 2026.
- Where
- The pipelines were damaged near Denmark’s Bornholm island in the Baltic Sea; Vladimir Z. was arrested in Croatia and Serhii K. was previously arrested in Italy.
- Why
- Germany alleges the suspects were involved in using explosives to sabotage the pipelines, while Zelenskyy denies Ukraine’s involvement and offers cooperation.
Ukraine’s Denial
Investigators’ Allegations
Ukraine’s involvement
Ukraine’s Denial
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was never involved, including in the idea of the operation, and said Ukrainian authorities were engaged on the issue.
Investigators’ Allegations
German authorities allege that Ukrainian nationals Vladimir Z. and Serhii K. were involved in a group that used explosives to damage the pipelines.
Responsibility for the blasts
Ukraine’s Denial
Ukraine says it is willing to cooperate with the investigation and take joint steps to clarify what happened.
Investigators’ Allegations
Russia has blamed the United States, Ukraine and Poland, while Germany’s case focuses on alleged involvement by people identified as Ukrainian nationals.
- Pipelines
- Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2
- Explosion date
- September 2022
- Location of blast
- Near Bornholm, Denmark, in the Baltic Sea
- Recent arrest
- Croatian police arrested Ukrainian national Vladimir Z. at Germany’s request.
- Earlier case
- Ukrainian national Serhii K. was arrested in Italy, extradited to Germany and later charged.
- Ukraine’s position
- President Zelenskyy said Ukraine had no role in the operation and was ready to assist the investigation.
- Russian accusation
- Russia blamed the United States, Ukraine and Poland and called them beneficiaries of the blasts.