The Russian-European gas pipeline was the target of a deliberate attack in September 2022.
The Russian-European gas pipeline was the target of a deliberate attack in September 2022.
Swedish security footage showed the effect of the explosions on the surface
Swedish security footage showed the effect of the explosions on the surface
German prosecutors announced Thursday that a suspect had been arrested in connection with an alleged 2022 attack on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which transported Russian gas to Europe.
The suspect, a Ukrainian national, was detained near Rimini, Italy, prosecutors said. In a statement, they thanked their Italian counterparts and other international law enforcement agencies for their assistance.
Authorities said the individual, identified only as Serhii K. in accordance with German privacy laws, was part of a group that planted explosives on the pipelines and is believed to have helped coordinate the attack.
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig praised the “impressive success” that led to the overnight arrest, calling for the case to proceed until all the suspects had been detained.
Danish authorities detected a series of underwater explosions on Sept. 26, 2022, near Nord Stream infrastructure. The suspected sabotage and resulting gas leaks rendered three pipelines inoperable.
Controversial even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the pipelines became more so after Moscow launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022. At the time of the attack, the pipelines were filled with gas but not operational, as part of early sanctions against the Russian government.
