Ukrainian Goes on Trial Over Nord Stream Blasts

A Ukrainian man has gone on trial in Germany accused of helping organise the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines, in a case that could strain relations between Berlin and Kyiv.

Suspect denies sabotage charges

Serhii Kuznetsov, 50, appeared in a Hamburg court on Wednesday, becoming the first suspect to stand trial over the blasts. German prosecutors allege he played a leading role in a group that used divers and explosives to attack the pipelines.

Kuznetsov denies the accusations, while his defence team has asked the court to dismiss the case. Prosecutors are pursuing charges under Germany’s code of crimes against international law, describing the alleged attack as a war crime against civilian infrastructure.

Defence challenges evidence and extradition

Kuznetsov’s lawyers argue that investigators have produced no direct evidence linking him to the explosions, pointing to what they describe as a lack of witnesses, DNA evidence, fingerprints and forensic proof.

They also contend that his military service and obligations to secrecy could prevent him from presenting a full defence. His lawyers further challenge the extradition process, arguing that the war crime allegation was not included at the time.

Investigators traced suspected plot to yacht

The explosions struck three of the four Nord Stream pipelines beneath the Baltic Sea near Denmark’s Bornholm island on 26 September 2022. The incident disrupted infrastructure built to transport Russian natural gas to Germany.

After investigations by Sweden, Denmark and Germany, German prosecutors focused on a group of deep-sea divers who allegedly rented a yacht called the Andromeda in Rostock. Investigators reported finding traces of underwater explosives in samples taken from the vessel.

Russia accused the United States and the United Kingdom of responsibility for the blasts, allegations both countries denied. Germany’s investigation later focused on suspects allegedly connected to Ukraine.

Ukraine denies involvement

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently denied that Ukraine was responsible for the explosions. German prosecutors allege in their indictment that the suspects acted on orders from Ukrainian state agencies.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko said the German account remained one possible explanation and argued that Nord Stream 2 had been a tool Russia could use to prepare for war.

Stefan Meister of the German Council on Foreign Relations said German leaders had sought to leave the matter to the judiciary rather than turn it into a political dispute.

Second suspect faces extradition

Kuznetsov was arrested in Italy in August 2025 under a European arrest warrant and transferred to Germany after fighting extradition.

Another Ukrainian suspect, Volodymyr Zhuravlov, was released by a Polish court in October 2025 after a judge rejected Germany’s extradition request. He was subsequently arrested in Croatia, which approved his extradition last month.

It remains unclear when Zhuravlov will be transferred to Germany or whether his case will be linked to the Hamburg proceedings.

Despite the diplomatic sensitivities, Merezhko said he did not believe the trial would undermine German support for Ukraine, arguing that continued assistance remained in Germany’s national interest.