In connection with the attacks, authorities have arrested a Ukrainian national, Serhii K. He is rumored to be the main planner responsible for the recent sabotage attacks against the Nord Stream pipelines. Italian police from several cities joined forces to make an arrest overnight in Misano Adriatico. This very small town is just outside the Italian city of Rimini.
Explosions on September 26, 2022, caused extensive damage to the Nord Stream pipelines. These pipelines were designed to carry more Russian natural gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Serhii K is alleged to have masterminded these attacks as part of an anti-constitutional sabotage and terrorism campaign targeting critical infrastructure.
Allegations of Sabotage
Serhii K is accused of being part of a group that planted explosives on the Nord Stream pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm. Our joint investigation indicates that this team, including Serhii K., took advantage of a yacht leaving from the German port of Rostock. The charter of this yacht had been arranged with a German company through the use of fake identification papers and through help from intermediaries.
Investigators had already flagged Serhii K in their wider investigation into the pipeline sabotage. Further lab work revealed the presence of undersea explosives on samples collected from the yacht associated with the attacks. Serhii K and his collaborators, though, are the subject of more serious charges for the harm caused to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. This pipeline had never even carried a drop of oil.
Official Responses
Hubig, Germany’s justice minister, called the arrest an outstanding success case by state prosecutors. She emphasized the need to read Serhii K’s case all the way through criminal law’s filter. The criminal investigation will continue to seek accountability for all those responsible for the sabotage of this incident.
The Ukrainian government has sharply denied any claims it ordered the attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines. This denial is occurring at a time when there’s increased focus and investigation into how and why the pipeline explosions happened, as well as the larger geopolitical context.
Ongoing Investigations
Though the investigation continues, authorities remain concentrated on building additional firepower to present against Serhii K and his purported co-conspirators. Italian and German law enforcement agencies have coordinated effectively to further this case. Their joint work is an inspiring example of the potential of international cooperation to address challenges to our environment and security.
The steps involved in the case against Serhii K show just how seriously authorities are pursuing and prosecuting this issue. As we learn more, the consequences of this sabotage will no doubt reverberate across European energy policy and international relations.
