Authorities in Germany announced the arrest of Ukrainian citizen Serhii K., suspected of helping organize the 2022 Nord Stream blasts. Police detained him overnight in Italy’s Rimini province, prosecutors confirmed. They said he likely acted as one of the coordinators of the operation.
Explosions Sever Russian Gas Routes
On 26 September 2022, underwater explosions ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines carrying Russian gas to Germany. The blasts cut Nord Stream 1, Moscow’s primary route until supplies ended in August 2022. They also damaged Nord Stream 2, which never entered service after Berlin halted certification following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Competing Narratives and Ongoing Disputes
Russia blamed the United States for the sabotage, while Washington dismissed the claim. Critics in the US and allied states long argued the pipelines threatened Europe’s energy security. In 2023, German reports suggested a pro-Ukraine group carried out the attack. Ukrainian officials denied involvement, while German authorities urged caution over assigning responsibility.
