Ukrainian Scuba Diver Arrested in Croatia Over Nord Stream Blasts
A Ukrainian man wanted by Germany for the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions was arrested in Croatia on a European warrant.
German federal prosecutors have confirmed the arrest of a Ukrainian man in Croatia in connection with the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The suspect, identified only as Vladimir Z. in the German statement, was taken into custody in the coastal city of Pula on Wednesday under a European arrest warrant.
The man is described as a trained scuba diver who allegedly belonged to a group that planted explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm. The explosions on September 26, 2022, ruptured the pipelines, which were built to transport Russian natural gas to Germany.
German prosecutors state that the suspect is strongly suspected of jointly causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage, and the destruction of buildings and structures. He is expected to be brought before an investigating judge at Germany's federal court of justice following his extradition.
A spokesperson for the prosecutors confirmed that this is the same individual previously arrested in Poland last year. Polish authorities had identified him as Volodymyr Zhuravlov, but a Polish court refused his extradition to Germany. Poland has historically opposed the Nord Stream project, viewing it as a tool for Russian leverage over Europe.
His Polish lawyer, Tymoteusz Paprocki, expressed surprise at the detention, noting that the earlier court ruling applied only within Polish territory. The German government has welcomed the arrest, with a justice ministry spokesman stating that progress in the investigation is important for clarifying the bombing.
The arrest follows recent charges filed by German prosecutors against a former Ukrainian army officer, identified as Serhii K., in connection with the same explosions. He faces charges including causing an explosion and being an accomplice to war crimes. Investigators allege the group used a yacht rented from a German company with forged documents, departing from the port of Rostock.
The sabotage heightened tensions during the Ukraine war as Europe sought to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. While some initially suspected Russian involvement, German investigators have pointed to Ukrainian involvement. Russia has accused the United States of staging the explosions, a claim Washington denies.