Germany begins the first Nord Stream trial: A former Ukrainian officer is accused of coordinating the sabotage

The first trial concerning the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines begins on Wednesday, October 14, at the Hamburg Regional Court, four years after the explosions in the Baltic Sea. Serghei Kuznetsov, a former Ukrainian officer, is accused by German prosecutors of coordinating the operation to destroy the gas pipelines at the request of Ukrainian authorities.

The explosions occurred on September 26, 2022, near the Danish island of Bornholm. Nord Stream 1 was already shut down, while Nord Stream 2 had never been put into operation. The German investigation alleges that a group consisting of divers, an explosives expert and a vessel captain transported explosives and installed charges fitted with delayed detonators.

Kuznetsov was arrested in Italy on August 21, 2025, while on vacation with his family, and extradited to Germany a month later. He faces several years in prison if found guilty of the charges brought by prosecutors, including a war crime.

Ukraine has denied involvement in the sabotage, while the German government has declined to comment on the case, citing the separation of powers. Russia has called for an objective procedure and a verdict. A second Ukrainian suspect, identified as Vladimir Z., is in custody and is challenging extradition from Croatia.