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German federal prosecutors announced the arrest of Serhii K., a Ukrainian national suspected of coordinating a group that sabotaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022. The man was detained by Italian police in Rimini and faces extradition to Germany. He is charged with causing an explosion, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destroying infrastructure.
Newsweek contacted the Ukrainian embassy in Berlin for comment. The bombings occurred during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at a time when European allies, particularly Germany, were under pressure to reduce their reliance on Russian gas supplies.
Ukraine has denied involvement in the attack, and no one has claimed responsibility. Investigations continue but have threatened to damage relations between Ukraine and its European allies, who faced cold winters and high energy prices following the incident.
The explosion damaged both Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Russia accused the U.S. of orchestrating the explosions, a claim denied by Washington. Meanwhile, Ukraine blamed Russia, which denies any involvement.
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Prior to the attack, the pipelines were criticized by the U.S. and some allies for increasing Europe’s dependence on Russian gas. In 2023, German media reported that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage, though Ukraine rejected these suggestions, and German officials remained cautious.
Swedish and Danish authorities concluded their investigations in February 2024, leaving Germany as the sole investigating body.
