Germany Charges Ukrainian for Nord Stream Sabotage

The German prosecutor’s office has filed charges against a Ukrainian citizen suspected of involvement in the bombings of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea—a crime likely aimed at Russia but ultimately impacting Germany’s and, by extension, the EU’s energy infrastructure.

The explosions targeting Nord Stream pipelines occurred in September 2022, a few months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sabotage of the gas pipelines, which transported Russian natural gas to the EU, became one of the most high-profile events in the geopolitical conflict between Russia and the West.

Since then, however, the investigation has been marked by silence, while media interest in scrutinizing the course of events and the ongoing investigation has been limited.

According to media reports, the man, identified in German media as Serhii K. in line with the country’s publication standards, is charged with attacks on civilian energy infrastructure, causing an explosion, and property damage. Ukrainian media give his full name as Sergei Kuznetsov.

Media reports state that Kuznetsov previously worked for Ukraine’s security service SBU and held the rank of captain. He is suspected of leading the commando group that, in September 2022, rented the sailboat Andromeda and used it to bomb the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

W Sign

Kuznetsov was arrested in the countryside outside Rimini in northern Italy on August 21, 2025. This was at the request of a German federal court.

When the suspected Ukrainian terrorist was led out of a police van and into the courthouse, he held up three fingers in the form of a W—a Ukrainian nationalist salute. He has since been extradited to Germany, which upheld his detention.

Sergei Kuznetsov denies all charges. His defense attorney, Nicola Canestrini, previously stated that he is convinced his client will be acquitted at an upcoming trial. The German prosecutor’s office has declined to comment, reports news agency Reuters.

Swedish Security Expert Blamed Russia

One person who does not share the German authorities’ view of Ukrainian involvement is Sweden’s so-called security expert Patrik Oksanen. Regarding the sabotage of the gas pipelines, he was convinced that only Russia could be behind the attack.

“If you look at the factors of capacity, interest, and also add the documented operational pattern with high risk appetite, there is only one answer. It is the Russian Federation that blew up Nordstream 1 and 2.

The noise being generated by the digital Russian ecosystem’s jammers, both in Sweden and abroad, wants you to believe that it is the USA, or Ukraine, behind the bombing.”,

– Patrik Oksanen in SvD 2022

Patrik Oksanen on the Nord Stream sabotage. Photo: Region Västerbotten / Danish Defense / SvD

Also Foreign Minister Ann Linde

Ann Linde is also known as a minister who asserts things without knowing for certain. The day after the sabotage actions against the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, Linde announced it was a Russian attack.

When the incident was brought to attention, she pointed to Russia as responsible, arguing that they are desperate, even as all individuals identified so far as suspects are Ukrainian citizens.

Both Oksanen and Linde are now involved in the state television’s election campaign to counteract disinformation, despite the fact that both have themselves spread disinformation.