Ukrainian Arrested in Italy over 2022 Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage

Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian citizen named Serhii K., suspected of coordinating the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea. Prosecutors allege that Serhii K. was part of a group that planted explosives on the pipelines using a sailing yacht rented from a German company with forged documents. The blasts caused severe damage to the pipelines, releasing large amounts of methane and significantly impacting gas prices, and investigations initially suspected Russian involvement. German authorities have charged Serhii K. with causing explosions, unconstitutional sabotage, and destruction of structures, with plans for his extradition to Germany underway. Security sources note that although Serhii K. was aboard the yacht used in the operation, he may not have been one of the divers who placed the explosives. The case remains a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the pipeline attacks, which occurred during heightened tensions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.