Ukrainian National Arrested for Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage

Wed Oct 22 2025 00:37:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Authorities confirm arrest of key suspect linked to 2022 undersea attacks on critical gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany.

The arrest represents a breakthrough in an investigation that has captivated international attention since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.

In a significant development within the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian national linked to the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, according to German authorities. This marks the first major arrest connected to the highly complex and controversial operation that disrupted gas supplies from Russia to Germany.

German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig lauded the arrest, calling it a "remarkable investigative success." The suspect, identified only as Serhii K. in adherence to privacy regulations, was apprehended in Misano Adriatico by Italian officials early Thursday morning. Prosecutors suspect that Serhii K. played a crucial role in orchestrating the undersea bombing mission, which involved divers placing explosives on both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.

The incident, which occurred on September 26, 2022, was first discovered when patrols noticed unusual bubbles rising from the Baltic Sea, later found to be caused by significant underwater explosions. At the time of the attacks, neither pipeline was operational, after geopolitical tensions had prompted Germany to halt the use of Nord Stream 2 amid fears of Russian influence.

The pipelines had been a focal point of speculation regarding the perpetrators behind the sabotage, with initial accusations directed at various actors, including Russia, Poland, and even the US. However, months of investigation led Western intelligence officials to conclude that a pro-Ukrainian group was responsible, aiming to prevent Russia from easily exporting gas to Europe.

Despite this conclusion, the Ukrainian government has denied directing or condoning the attack. The arrest comes over a year after another Ukrainian suspect was named in relation to the sabotage but evaded capture after fleeing Poland.

As the legal process unfolds, extradition of Serhii K. to Germany appears to be complex and lengthy, underscoring the international implications of this case within the broader context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.