German prosecutors have officially stated that Ukrainian state authorities ordered the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. In a statement issued on July 2, they announced that suspect Serhii K. was formally charged a day earlier, alongside six alleged accomplices. Prosecutors contend that Serhii K., described as a Ukrainian army officer at the time of the operation, and his team acted under direct instructions from Ukrainian state authorities.
Sabotage Aimed to Halt Gas Supplies
The alleged motive behind the Nord Stream sabotage was to permanently halt gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. Prosecutors claim this action was intended to prevent Russia from utilizing natural gas revenues to finance its ongoing war efforts.
According to the investigation, Serhii K. and his team traveled from Ukraine to Germany using fake Ukrainian passports. They then reportedly hired a yacht, the Andromeda, from a German company located in Rostock. Investigators later discovered traces of military-grade explosives HMX and RDX on board the Andromeda.
Explosives Detonated Near Bornholm
Prosecutors detailed that the explosives, fitted with timers, were attached to the underwater pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm by September 22, 2022. The detonations occurred four days later, on September 26, causing significant damage to the infrastructure. Although the pipelines were not actively in operation at the time of the incident, Nord Stream 1 had previously supplied approximately half of Germany's annual natural gas requirements.
The case carries significant diplomatic implications, as Germany remains one of Ukraine's primary military backers in its defense against the Russian invasion.
Legal Proceedings and Denial
German media reports indicate that Serhii K. faces charges including being an accomplice to a war crime, disrupting public services, causing an explosion, and destroying structures. His arrest on a German warrant in August 2025 in Italy led to his subsequent extradition to Germany. Serhii K. has denied any involvement in the sabotage, with his lawyer expressing confidence in his client's acquittal.