German prosecutors have accused Ukrainian “state authorities” of ordering the 2022 bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which connect Russia to Europe. This charge is likely to strain relations between Kyiv and Berlin, Germany being Ukraine’s biggest military backer.
The sabotage in the Baltic Sea, carried out by a group of attackers, almost completely destroyed the underwater infrastructure of a key source of Russian gas for Germany.
A suspect arrested in Italy last August and extradited to Germany in November was indicted this week. At the time of his arrest, he was identified as Serhiy Kuznietsov.
The federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement that he has been charged with war crimes “for an attack on a civilian site,” as well as causing an explosion and disrupting public services.
Crucially, the office stated that Kuznietsov, then a Ukrainian army officer, along with other military members, planned to destroy the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines “on the orders of state authorities in Ukraine” after Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Nord Stream 1 was a vital route for Russian gas exports to Europe, while Nord Stream 2 had not yet started operating.
“The goal was to permanently stop gas supplies through the pipelines and prevent Russia from using revenue from natural gas trade to fund its war effort,” prosecutors said.
At the time of the attack, Moscow had recently cut off deliveries via Nord Stream 1, citing Western sanctions and technical issues, though European countries accused it of using gas as a weapon. Germany, the EU’s largest economy, was forced to scramble in the following months to meet its energy needs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that he had not yet received full details of the indictment, which was served that day, according to Reuters. The charges were published on Thursday.
“The relevant authorities of our countries will get in touch, and when we receive more details, we will probably be able to respond. For now, it’s too early to say,” he said.
Germany has overtaken the US as Ukraine’s single largest national military backer. The German government did not immediately comment on the charges.
According to the indictment, a group was formed to carry out the plot, including professional divers, a skipper, and an explosives expert, “under the leadership of the accused.”
Prosecutors said Kuznietsov allegedly entered Germany via Poland on September 4, 2022, using a forged Ukrainian passport.
Shortly after, he is said to have boarded an ocean-going sailing yacht with the other group members. The vessel had been chartered from a German company in Rostock using fake IDs, according to the prosecution’s case.
Kuznietsov and his accomplices allegedly transported large amounts of weapons-grade explosives to a site near the Danish island of Bornholm, and the group “attached explosive devices with timers to the gas pipelines running along the seabed.”
The devices exploded on September 26, causing severe damage to both pipelines and releasing record amounts of methane into the atmosphere.
“Before the incident, Nord Stream 1 transported about half of Germany’s annual natural gas needs for energy production,” prosecutors said.
Suspicion initially fell on Russia and the US, which had long criticized the pipelines for increasing Western dependence on Moscow, before shifting to Ukraine.
People who allegedly had detailed knowledge of the incident told German media they considered it an attack on a legitimate military target because profits from gas deliveries helped fund Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Under German law, the war crime charge of directing an attack against civilian objects carries a minimum prison sentence of three years, or one year in less serious cases.
The courts have treated the case as falling within their jurisdiction because the damaged pipelines end at Lubmin in northeastern Germany, and their loss affected the country’s energy security and domestic interests.Safety concerns remain. The case is expected to go to trial in Hamburg this autumn. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which opposes German military support for Ukraine, will likely use the case ahead of September’s elections to push the government to cut off aid to Kyiv. The AfD is currently leading in national opinion polls. Reuters contributed to this report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the German prosecutors accusations against Kyiv regarding the Nord Stream sabotage written in a clear and natural tone
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What exactly are German prosecutors accusing Kyiv of
German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian diving instructor They suspect he was part of a team that placed explosives on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022 They are investigating whether the Ukrainian government ordered the sabotage
2 Did Ukraine actually blow up the Nord Stream pipelines
We dont know for sure yet The German investigation points to a Ukrainianled team but Ukraines government has strongly denied any involvement The investigation is ongoing and no final verdict has been reached
3 Why would Germany accuse Ukraine which is a war ally
This is a very sensitive issue Germany is Ukraines biggest military supporter in Europe The accusation creates a huge political problem The prosecutors are legally required to follow the evidence even if it involves an ally Germany is trying to balance its legal duty with its political support for Ukraine
4 What are the Nord Stream pipelines
They are two massive natural gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea from Russia directly to Germany They were a major source of Russian gas for Europe before the war in Ukraine
5 When did the sabotage happen
The explosions that damaged the pipelines occurred on September 26 2022 Three of the four pipeline strings were ruptured
AdvancedLevel Questions
6 Who is the main suspect and what is the evidence against him
The main suspect is Volodymyr Z a Ukrainian diving instructor German prosecutors believe he and two other Ukrainian divers used a sailboat called the Andromeda to transport and place explosives The evidence includes DNA traces phone records and the charter contract for the boat
7 What is the specific order from Kyiv that prosecutors are investigating
The prosecutors are investigating whether the operation was directed by a Ukrainian military or intelligence official They are looking at a possible chain of command that goes from the divers on the ground up to the Ukrainian government but they havent publicly named a specific Ukrainian commander or minister
8 How does this accusation affect the relationship between Germany and Ukraine
Its very damaging It has forced
