Croatian court approves extradition of Ukrainian diver to Germany
A Croatian court has approved the extradition of Ukrainian diver Vladimir Zhuravlev to Germany, where he is accused of involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. He was detained in August 2026 during filming of a movie about the incident.
Consensus
- The Croatian court in Pula approved the extradition of Ukrainian national Vladimir Zhuravlev to Germany.
- Zhuravlev was detained in August 2026 in Croatia.
- Zhuravlev is accused of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022.
- The court's decision was made on 18 September, though it was not formally communicated until later.
- Zhuravlev's defense intends to appeal the decision.
- Zhuravlev was previously detained in Poland in 2025, but extradition was denied.
- Zhuravlev arrived in Croatia to serve as a consultant on a film about the Nord Stream sabotage.
- The film is titled 'Snake Island' (or 'Island of the Snake'), directed by Dag Laieman, and stars Sean Penn and Adrian Brody.
Points of divergence
- Zhuravlev was detained in Croatia in August 2025, not 2026. — tg_currenttime
- Zhuravlev was detained in Poland in autumn 2025 and was called a 'hero' by Polish authorities. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- German investigators concluded in July 2026 that the sabotage was ordered by Ukrainian state organs. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Zhuravlev was arrested near the city of Pula on 19 August, and the court's decision was not yet received by his lawyer as of 24 September. — tg_interfax
- The court's decision was announced five days after 18 September, i.e., on 23 September. — tg_echoonline_news
- The court's decision was communicated only on 23 September. — tg_theinsider
- Zhuravlev was detained on 19 August 2026. — tg_tvrain
- Zhuravlev was detained during filming of the movie 'Snake Island' on a movie set. — tg_dwglavnoe
- Zhuravlev was detained as a consultant on a film about Nord Stream sabotage, which features Sean Penn. — tg_currenttime
- Zhuravlev is an instructor in diving and was part of a group of Ukrainians involved in the sabotage. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- Zhuravlev allegedly participated in dives using explosives on the Nord Stream pipelines near Bornholm Island. — tg_interfax
- Zhuravlev was involved in the sabotage as a diver who attached bombs to the pipelines. — tg_dwglavnoe
Coverage (7 sources)
- Court in Croatia allowed extradition of Ukrainian Vladimir Zhuravlev to Germany, suspected of sabotaging 'North Stream… — Настоящее Время
- Croatian court approved extradition to Germany of 'Nord Stream' case suspect — Интерфакс
- Croatian Court Allows Extradition of Ukrainian Suspect of Sabotaging 'Nord Stream' to Germany — The Moscow Times
- Court in Croatia approved extradition of Ukrainian to Germany suspected of sabotaging 'Nord Stream' — ЭХО / Новости
- Court in Croatia allowed extradition of suspect in sabotage of 'North Stream' — media — The Insider
- Croatia will extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of involvement in the sabotage of 'Nord Stream' — Дождь (Telegram)
- Court in Croatia approved extradition of Ukrainian diver suspected of sabotaging 'Nord Stream' to Germany — DW Главное
Key entities
- Croatia
- Germany
- Vladimir Zhuravlev
- Pule
- Ukraine
- FRG
- District Court
- Suspilne
- Suspilne
- Media
- HRT
- Nikolai Katerinchuk
- Evening List
- Moscow
- Vladimir Zh.
More on Vladimir Zhuravlev
- Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Attack Seeks Asylum in Croatia
- Germany's MFA: Justice Free in Nord Stream Case
- Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Bombing Arrested During Film Shoot