UKRAINIAN MAN ARRESTED IN CROATIA OVER NORD STREAM PIPELINE BOMBING

A Ukrainian man was arrested in Croatia on suspicion of involvement in the bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022. German prosecutors identified the suspect as Vladimir Z., a trained scuba diver, and alleged he was part of a group that planted explosives on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 near the Danish Baltic Sea island of Bornholm. The arrest was carried out by Croatian police acting on a European arrest warrant. Prosecutors stated the suspect "participated in the necessary dives" for the sabotage and said he would be brought before an investigating judge at Germany's federal court of justice upon extradition from Croatia.

The Nord Stream pipelines were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. The 26 September 2022 explosions damaged both pipelines, disrupting a long-established energy supply line from Russia. German prosecutors have said the aim of the plot was to permanently disrupt gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using revenues from natural gas trading to finance military operations. The arrest comes as a second person faces charges in connection with the explosions: a former Ukrainian military officer identified as Serhii K., arrested in Italy in August 2025 and later extradited to Germany. Serhii K. has denied responsibility and faces charges including causing an explosion, damaging property and disrupting public service.

The bombing has strained relations between Ukraine and Germany, one of Europe's key backers of Ukraine's war effort. Blame for the explosions initially focused on Moscow before signs of Ukrainian involvement emerged. Officials in Kyiv have repeatedly denied any role in the attack. The case has proved contentious in European courts: one Polish judge previously refused a German extradition request in a related case, arguing that if Ukraine was responsible, it was a "just" act.