German federal prosecutors have filed charges against a Ukrainian national in connection with a series of explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea in September 2022.

The accused, identified as Serhii K., a 50-year-old Ukrainian soldier from Kyiv, was arrested in Italy in August 2025 on a German warrant and extradited to Germany. He is accused of leading a team of seven accomplices in the operation that destroyed three of four key Nord Stream pipelines.

The pipelines, which transported Russian gas to Europe, were not in use at the time of the attack. The destruction dealt a major blow to European energy infrastructure.

Serhii K. is charged with attacking civilian energy infrastructure, considered a war crime under international law, as well as causing an explosion and destroying structures. He has denied involvement, and his lawyer expressed confidence in his acquittal.

Investigators allege that K. led the sabotage team and commanded the sailing yacht Andromeda, from which the attack was purportedly carried out. Traces of military explosives HMX and RDX were reportedly found on the yacht.

K. was arrested on August 21, 2025, in the Italian province of Rimini. Following his extradition to Germany on November 27, he has been held in pre-trial detention in Hamburg. Evidence is reportedly overwhelming, including self-incriminating phone calls made while in custody in Italy.

Source: www.dw.com