World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Ukrainian suspect goes on trial in Germany over Nord Stream explosions
A Ukrainian man is on trial in Hamburg, Germany, over explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea in September 2022.
Prosecutors accuse him of helping carry out the attack and charge him with causing explosions, damaging property, disrupting public services and being an accomplice to war crimes.
They say the group used a yacht and aimed to stop Russian gas deliveries and cut revenue that could fund Russia’s military operations.
Nord Stream 1 had carried Russian gas to Germany, while Nord Stream 2 had never entered service.
The case is politically sensitive because Germany supports Ukraine, which has denied involvement in the attack, and some German politicians have called for Ukraine to pay for the damage.
The court will now hear the evidence; the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
A Ukrainian citizen identified in court as Serhii K. is due to go on trial in Hamburg over the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines.
He faces charges including causing an explosion, disrupting public services and acting as an accomplice to war crimes by attacking civilian infrastructure.
Prosecutors allege the plot aimed to permanently disrupt Russian gas deliveries and stop Russia earning revenue to finance its military operations.
The explosions ruptured Nord Stream 1 and damaged Nord Stream 2, which had not entered service.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine was not involved in the attack.
- Who
- Ukrainian citizen Serhii K., identified publicly as Serhii Kuznietsov in Italian extradition proceedings, is on trial.
- What
- He is accused of involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. He faces charges including causing an explosion and attacking civilian infrastructure.
- When
- The trial is due to begin on October 14, 2026, according to DW. AP says it starts Wednesday.
- Where
- The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg, Germany.
- Why
- Prosecutors say the plot aimed to disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using the revenue to fund its military operations.
Ukraine's stated position
German prosecutors' allegations
Involvement
Ukraine's stated position
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine was not involved in the attack.
German prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors allege Serhii K. and others carried out the plot.
Purpose
Ukraine's stated position
Ukraine's stated position is that it did not take part in an operation to blow up Nord Stream.
German prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors say the aim was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and reduce Russia's military funding.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow cut off supplies through Nord Stream 1, according to AP.
Explosions damaged Nord Stream pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm.
Serhii K. was arrested in Italy, according to both articles.
AP says Serhii K. was extradited to Germany; DW says he was later extradited but does not give a month.
DW says Serhii K.'s trial is due to begin in Hamburg.
- Pipelines
- Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2
- Explosion date
- September 26, 2022
- Trial court
- Hanseatic Higher Regional Court, Hamburg
- Suspect
- Serhii K.; publicly named as Serhii Kuznietsov in Italian extradition proceedings
- Alleged bombs
- At least four, weighing 14 to 27 kilograms each
- Alleged blast depth
- 70 to 80 meters
What people are saying
Ukraine has never officially taken part in any operation related to the blowing up of Nord Stream,
It is totally absurd that Germany spends many billions on aid for Ukraine but never demands an explanation from [President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy.
there is likely a state-run structure behind it.
Sources
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