German detectives suspect Ukrainian military involvement in this operation, and Europe is preparing for political consequences.
The investigation into the explosions of the Nord Stream threatens to divide the West. German investigators believe that Ukraine was behind the sabotage, writes The Wall Street Journal.
For three years, a team of German detectives gathered every morning at the headquarters of the federal police in Potsdam, trying to uncover who was behind the explosions of the Nord Stream pipelines. Now the investigation has reached a conclusion that could undermine European support for Ukraine: the operation was allegedly carried out by an elite Ukrainian military unit.
Poland Refuses to Extradite Suspect
One of the first consequences was Poland's decision to deny the extradition of a suspect whom Germany wanted to prosecute in its courts. Warsaw, on the contrary, called him a hero, as he allegedly struck at the economic source of funding for Russia’s war.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk sarcastically commented on the German investigation:
"The problem is not that the pipeline was blown up. The problem is that it was built at all."
In Germany itself, the explosions have become a subject of political disputes. The Alternative for Germany party is using outrage over high energy prices to call for a reduction in aid to Kyiv.
How the Explosions Changed Europe
The explosions in September 2022 disabled both branches of the Nord Stream, which supplied Russian gas to Germany and the rest of Europe. This occurred after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when the West was debating whether to cut off Moscow's sources of revenue.
Some countries advocated for a complete shutdown of the pipelines, while others feared economic consequences. After the explosions, the discussion lost its meaning. The gas leak caused massive pollution - CO₂ emissions equaled Denmark's annual volume.
Initially, Russia was blamed for the explosions, while the Kremlin pointed fingers at the U.S. and Britain instead.
Leads Point to Ukrainian Special Services
According to sources familiar with the case, the German police gained a clear understanding of the operation allegedly carried out by Ukrainian military personnel under the command of then-Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny.
The investigation was based on data from boat rentals, phones, and surveillance cameras. Investigators issued arrest warrants for three Ukrainian special forces soldiers and four experienced deep-sea divers.
A crucial piece of evidence was a photograph from a radar scanner, in which the police identified the face of one of the divers - thanks to facial recognition software. His profile was quickly found on social media.
Suspects Were Smuggled Out by Diplomats
One of the divers was allegedly smuggled out of Poland to Ukraine in a car with diplomatic plates, driven by a Ukrainian military attaché. The Ukrainian government refused to comment on the incident.
Another suspect, the group commander, was detained in Italy. He was identified as Sergey K., a 46-year-old veteran of the SBU who fought in Kyiv at the beginning of the Russian invasion. His arrest followed months of searching and tracking routes through Poland, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
As Sergey was led out of court, he raised three fingers in the shape of the Ukrainian trident, demonstrating solidarity with his homeland. The lawyer stated that his client is innocent, and even if he acted, it was within the framework of a military operation in defense of Ukraine, thus he has immunity.
Political Consequences for Europe
Now, as the case is prepared for court, Berlin fears a split among Ukraine's allies. The Italian court's decision on the extradition of Sergey K. could determine whether the Nord Stream case turns into a diplomatic crisis.
Sabotage of the Nord Streams - Latest News
As reported by UNIAN, the Russian pipelines were blown up in September 2022. As a result, the operational Nord Stream 1 and the Nord Stream 2, which was under construction, were damaged. Together, they were supposed to become the main route for Russian gas supplies to Europe.
Ukrainians are suspected in the operation. Recently, it became known that Ukrainian Sergey Kuznetsov, who was arrested in Italy on suspicion of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, has declared a hunger strike.
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