Ukrainian arrested in Italy over Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

On Wednesday, August 21, Ukrainian citizen Serhii K. was detained in the Italian province of Rimini on suspicion of coordinating attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines, according to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office.

He faces charges of organizing an explosion, sabotage, and property damage.

"Serhii K. was part of a group that, in September 2022 near the island of Bornholm, installed explosive devices on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. He allegedly coordinated the operation. For transportation, he and his accomplices used a yacht that departed from Rostock, rented through intermediaries from a German company using forged documents," the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

After extradition from Italy, the accused will appear before an investigating judge at a German federal court.

The Nord Stream pipelines were damaged by explosions in September 2022. Three of the four pipelines were inactive at the time due to the full-scale Russian invasion, but they were still filled with gas.

The EU immediately suspected deliberate sabotage and launched an investigation. Sweden, Denmark, and Germany conducted separate inquiries into the incident.

In August 2024, the Wall Street Journal published a lengthy article alleging that Ukraine sabotaged the Nord Stream pipelines. According to the report, President Zelenskyy had initially approved the plan but later ordered it stopped, yet the operation was carried out regardless.

The Office of the President denies Ukraine's involvement in the sabotage.

• In July 2025, the European Union imposed sanctions that effectively halted Nord Stream operations.