German prosecutors have alleged that Ukrainian state authorities were behind the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, saying the operation was carried out on official orders from Ukraine.
In a statement released on Thursday, prosecutors said the Ukrainian national charged in the case, identified as Serhii K., and six alleged accomplices acted “on the orders of state authorities in Ukraine” to destroy the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
According to prosecutors, the accused, described as military personnel, participated in a plan to sabotage the pipelines in September 2022, disrupting a major energy link between Russia and Europe.
The announcement follows formal charges filed against Serhii K. on Wednesday. German media reported that the 50-year-old Ukrainian national has been charged with being an accomplice to a war crime, disrupting public services, causing an explosion and destroying critical infrastructure.
Serhii K. was extradited to Germany from Italy, where he was arrested in August 2025 on a German warrant issued as part of the investigation into the pipeline explosions.
The suspect has denied any involvement in the sabotage. His lawyer told Reuters that he is confident his client will be acquitted of all charges.
The Nord Stream pipeline explosions in September 2022 severely damaged the key gas links connecting Russia to Europe and triggered one of the most significant investigations into alleged sabotage of critical energy infrastructure in recent years.
