- A Ukrainian man was arrested Wednesday in Croatia in relation to undersea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany in 2022, Germany's federal prosecutor said.
- The undersea explosions on Sept. 26, 2022, damaged pipelines that were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
- Vladimir Z., whose last name was not given in line with German privacy rules, was arrested in Pula, Croatia, by local police carrying out a European warrant.
- Prosecutors stated that Vladimir Z. is a trained scuba diver who was part of a group of individuals who planted explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines near the [Danish] island of Bornholm in September 2022.
- He is strongly suspected of jointly causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage and destruction of buildings and structures.
- Germany will move to extradite the suspect.
- The explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russia’s main natural gas supply route to Germany until Moscow cut off supplies in August 2022.
- Nord Stream 2 was also damaged, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia’s invasion.
- The damage added to tensions over the Ukraine war as European countries moved to wean themselves off Russian energy sources following the Kremlin's full-scale invasion.
Vladimir Z., a Ukrainian man arrested in Croatia, is linked to the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions that damaged crucial gas supply routes from Russia to Germany. Prosecutors allege he was part of a group that planted explosives on the pipelines near Bornholm island.134679
The explosions on September 26, 2022, ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which had been Russia's primary gas supply route to Germany until supplies were cut off in August 2022. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was also damaged, although it never became operational due to Germany halting its certification process just before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.8
Prosecutors stated that Vladimir Z. is “strongly suspected of jointly causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage and destruction of buildings and structures.” Germany is now seeking to extradite him from Croatia, where he was apprehended under a European warrant. The damage from the explosions has heightened tensions in Europe, as countries strive to reduce reliance on Russian energy sources amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.5
The Nord Stream pipelines were designed to transport Russian natural gas to Europe, and their destruction has significant implications for energy security in the region.
“Vladimir Z. is strongly suspected of causing explosions and anti-constitutional sabotage related to the Nord Stream pipelines, which were damaged amid rising tensions over the Ukraine war. Germany's federal prosecutor confirmed plans to extradite him following his arrest under a European warrant.”
