On August 21, 2025, German prosecutors announced a significant breakthrough in the long-running investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. Authorities confirmed the arrest of Serhii K., a Ukrainian national, in the Italian province of Rimini. This marks the first arrest in a case that has remained shrouded in intrigue since the pipelines were devastated by massive underwater explosions in September 2022.
According to Germany’s federal prosecutors, Serhii K. is accused of being part of a group that "placed explosive devices on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines." Prosecutors further believe he was "one of the coordinators of the operation," a role that placed him at the heart of what many have called one of Europe’s most mysterious acts of sabotage in recent memory. The arrest was made in the early hours of Thursday, with Italian carabinieri confirming that the 49-year-old Ukrainian was taken into custody without resistance at a bungalow where he was staying with his family. He was subsequently transferred to a local prison, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Nord Stream pipelines, long controversial for their role in channeling Russian gas directly to Germany—bypassing traditional eastern European transit routes—were struck just months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As gas spewed to the surface near the Danish island of Bornholm, seismic institutes reported the underwater blasts, and four leaks were discovered: two within Denmark’s exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden’s. The incident immediately set off a firestorm of accusations and denials. Western governments were quick to point fingers at Moscow, which in turn accused the West of orchestrating the attack. Both Ukraine and Russia have consistently denied any involvement.
However, the latest developments, as detailed by German prosecutors and corroborated by multiple media outlets including Der Spiegel and AFP, point to a Ukrainian cell composed of five men and one woman. This group is believed to have chartered the yacht "Andromeda" from the port of Rostock, Germany, using forged identity documents obtained through intermediaries. German authorities allege that the group’s aim was to destroy the pipelines to prevent Russia from profiting from future gas sales to Europe—a motive that, if proven, would have significant geopolitical implications.
Further details provided by Die Zeit, ARD, and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung reveal that the operation was meticulously planned. The yacht, rented from a German company, became the base from which the saboteurs launched their underwater mission. Investigators believe Serhii K. played a central role in coordinating the logistics and execution of the attack. According to Wall Street Journal reporting, Serhii K., a former Ukrainian military officer, allegedly led a team comprising two soldiers and four civilian divers. These individuals were covertly recruited by a special Ukrainian military unit, and their task was clear: lay explosives that would cripple the undersea energy lifeline.
The arrest of Serhii K. follows a series of investigative leads. In August 2024, German authorities requested a European arrest warrant for another Ukrainian man, a diving instructor named Volodymyr Z. His last known address was in Poland, but he reportedly left for Ukraine in July 2024 before he could be detained. German investigators suspect Volodymyr Z. was one of the divers who physically planted the explosives. Two additional suspects—a married couple who run a diving school in Ukraine—were also identified as likely participants in the operation. These revelations suggest a tightly knit group with specialized skills and access to resources capable of executing such a daring act.
The case has proven politically sensitive for Germany and Ukraine alike. Berlin has been one of Kyiv’s most steadfast supporters, providing both political backing and military equipment as Ukraine continues to resist Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted that his government had no knowledge of any operation to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, while praising the "highly complex operation" that led to Serhii K.’s arrest, was quick to reaffirm Germany’s support for Ukraine. "We stand firmly on the side of Ukraine against Russia’s terrible war of aggression," Hubig stated. At the same time, she emphasized Germany’s commitment to the rule of law: "We will also consistently investigate crimes that are committed under our jurisdiction."
As the investigation has unfolded, it has also exposed the complicated energy politics at play in Europe. The Nord Stream pipelines, particularly Nord Stream 2, have long been a lightning rod for controversy. Critics argued that the pipelines made Germany and the broader European Union dangerously dependent on Russian energy, while supporters pointed to the economic benefits of cheap gas. After the invasion of Ukraine, Western powers sanctioned Moscow, prompting Russia to halt gas flows through Nord Stream 1, while Nord Stream 2 never began operations. The September 2022 explosions, therefore, struck at the heart of a project already mired in political and economic tensions.
Recent reports in German and British media have suggested that, amid ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Washington and Moscow discussed the possibility of reviving Nord Stream 2, perhaps even under the management of an American company. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in May 2025, has firmly stated that his government would "do everything ... to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation." These remarks reflect the enduring unease in Berlin about the risks of renewed energy entanglement with Russia.
The Nord Stream sabotage investigation has also tested the delicate diplomatic balance between Germany and Ukraine. While Berlin continues to support Kyiv’s struggle against Russian aggression, the possibility that Ukrainian operatives—whether acting with or without official sanction—were behind the attacks has complicated matters. The case underscores the tangled web of alliances, interests, and covert operations that define much of today’s European security landscape.
For now, Serhii K. remains in Italian custody, awaiting possible extradition to Germany to face charges. The arrest has been hailed by German authorities as a major step forward in a "highly complex operation," but many questions remain unanswered. Who ultimately ordered the attack? Were the operatives acting independently, or did they have state backing? And what will the fallout be for European energy security and the already fraught relationship between Germany, Ukraine, and Russia?
One thing is clear: the Nord Stream sabotage case, with its blend of international intrigue, covert operations, and high-stakes energy politics, is far from over. As the investigation continues, the world will be watching closely to see what further revelations emerge from the depths of the Baltic Sea.
