Polish Court Rejects Extradition of Ukrainian Nord Stream Suspect

Mon Oct 20 2025 20:49:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A Polish judge has dismissed the extradition request for Volodymyr Zhuravlyov by Germany, following his arrest related to the Nord Stream pipeline blasts. The judge cited Ukraine's right to defend itself amidst the ongoing war.

In a surprising ruling, a Polish judge has refused to extradite Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, a Ukrainian diver wanted by Germany for his alleged role in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. The judge emphasized the context of the war in Ukraine, stating that if Ukraine orchestrated the attack, it could be viewed as a justified act of self-defense. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk supported the decision, declaring it 'case closed.' Zhuravlyov's release has sparked discussions about the legal implications of the case amid the ongoing conflict.

Polish Court Rejects Extradition of Ukrainian Nord Stream Suspect

A Polish judge has refused to extradite a Ukrainian citizen – suspected by Germany of sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022 – arguing that if Ukraine was responsible for the attack, then it was a just act.

Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, who was brought to Warsaw District Court in handcuffs, was detained last month based on a European arrest warrant. Judge Dariusz Lubowski ordered his release, a ruling that surprised many in the courtroom.

Mr. Zhuravlyov, along with others, is suspected of planting explosives under the Baltic Sea on pipelines running from Russia to Germany. Evidence suggests shifting blame for the attacks initially pointed to Moscow, but indications of potential Ukrainian involvement began to surface.

Despite the serious allegations, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk publicly praised the decision, asserting that the ruling was appropriate.

In his announcement, Judge Lubowski emphasized that he was focusing only on the extradition request, not the case's substantive details, but made clear that the war context was crucial. He framed Russia’s invasion as a “bloody and genocidal attack,” quoting Aristotle in support of Ukraine's right to defend itself.

The judge argued that actions taken by Ukraine to disrupt Russian energy supplies would be considered justified wartime steps, contrasting them with peacetime terrorist activities.

Upon hearing the decision, Zhuravlyov's wife, Yulianna, expressed relief and emphasized the importance of the judge's understanding of the situation faced by Ukrainians.

The complexity of the extradition case, amid ongoing hostilities and previous inconsistencies in the legal proceedings surrounding the Nord Stream blasts, raises questions about jurisdiction and sovereignty in light of international law.

Yet, while Zhuravlyov walks free, another Ukrainian, Serhiy Kuznetsov, faces extradition proceedings in Italy over similar allegations, highlighting the intricate geopolitical implications of the Nord Stream incident.