German prosecutors allege Ukraine ordered Nord Stream pipeline attack

German prosecutors have charged a former Ukrainian army officer, identified as Serhii K, with participating in a war crime related to the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions. Prosecutors allege he acted on behalf of Ukrainian state authorities, leading a team of divers to blow up the pipelines, which are civilian objects that caused explosions, destroyed infrastructure, and disrupted public services. The blasts occurred in September 2022, seven months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, damaging Nord Stream 1 and the unused Nord Stream 2. Serhii K denies involvement. Ukrainian authorities stated they require more information to respond fully to the allegations.

German prosecutors have indicted a former Ukrainian army officer, Serhiy Kuznietsov, accusing him of war crimes for his alleged role in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The indictment claims Kuznietsov, acting on the orders of "state authorities in Ukraine," devised and executed the plan to destroy the pipelines. The attack, which occurred in September 2022 near the Danish island of Bornholm, aimed to permanently halt gas supplies and prevent Russia from financing its war effort. This accusation is likely to strain relations between Germany and Ukraine, its primary military supporter. The case, which began with suspicion falling on Russia and the US, is expected to go to trial in Hamburg this autumn.

German federal prosecutors have charged a former Ukrainian army officer, identified as Serhii K., in connection with the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The suspect faces charges including causing an explosion, property damage, disrupting public service, and being an accomplice to war crimes by attacking civilian objects. Prosecutors allege the plot aimed to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from financing its military operations. Serhii K. was detained in Italy in August and extradited to Germany in November. The explosions damaged Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which carried Russian natural gas to Germany, occurring amid heightened tensions due to the war in Ukraine.