German prosecutors have formally charged Ukrainian national Sergey…
German prosecutors have formally charged Ukrainian national Sergey Kuznetsov with a war crime over the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022, alleging he acted under orders from Ukrainian state organs and worked for Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The case is based on intercepted phone calls and an indictment citing circumstantial evidence.
Consensus
- The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines occurred on September 26, 2022.
- German federal prosecutors have formally charged Ukrainian national Sergey Kuzneцов with a war crime related to the sabotage.
- Kuznetsov was detained in August 2025 in Italy and extradited to Germany in October 2025.
- The German prosecution alleges that the sabotage was carried out under the direction of Ukrainian state organs.
- An indictment from July 1, 2024, states there are sufficient grounds to suspect involvement by Ukrainian government bodies.
- Kuznetsov reportedly admitted during a monitored phone call with his wife while in custody in Italy that he served in Ukraine's military and worked for the SBU at the time of the attack.
- The defense has rejected the charges as based on mere hypothesis.
- Russia was not allowed access to the investigation by Germany, Denmark, or Sweden.
Points of divergence
- U.S. President Biden publicly promised in February 2022 to destroy the Nord Stream pipeline. — vesti
- Journalist Seymour Hersh claims in a 2023 investigation that the U.S., with support from Norway, carried out the sabotage during NATO exercises Baltops and used a group of six Ukrainians to cover their tracks. — vesti
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Germany will do everything possible so Nord Stream never resumes operation. — vm
- Aliisa Vaidel, co-chair of the German right-wing party AfD, claimed Ukraine must explain its role and pay reparations to Germany. — vm
Coverage (15 sources)
- Accused of sabotaging 'Nord Stream' Ukrainian Sergei Kuznetsov confessed to working for SBU at the time of the crime — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Ukrainian State Organs: Germany Names the Mastermind Behind the Nord Stream Sabotage — РИАМО
- German court accuses 'North Stream' case defendant of war crime — Фонтанка
- Germany speculates on who ordered the sabotage of 'Nord Stream' pipelines — Вести
- Suspect in the 'Nord Stream' case accused of war crime in Germany — Ведомости
- German Prosecutor's Office Accuses Ukraine of Involvement in 'Nord Stream' Sabotage — Вечерняя Москва
- German prosecutors file first official charges against Ukrainian in case of Nord Stream sabotage, reports ARD — РИА Новости (Telegram)
- "Allow themselves a lot": Expert Kukharkin reveals discrepancies between SBU and Western services — Вести
- Suspect in the sabotage of 'Nord Stream' admitted to working for SBU — Ведомости
- Stern: Defendant accused by Germany of sabotaging 'Nord Stream' admitted working for SBU — Коммерсантъ
- Ukrainian Kuznetsov Admitted to Working for SBU at Time of Nord Stream Sabotage — Вести
- Peskov: Germany confirmed Kyiv's involvement in the sabotage of 'Nord Stream', accusing a Ukrainian — Москва 24
- Boat with explosives and a directive from Ukrainian state structures. Germany reveals details of the 'Nord Stream' sabotage case — Фонтанка
- German prosecutors believe 'North Stream' case suspect acted on Kyiv's orders — Интерфакс
- German prosecutors have indicted a Ukrainian in the Nord Stream pipeline terror case — Вести
Key entities
- Germany
- Ukraine
- FRG
- Sergey Kuznetsov
- SBU
- RIA Novosti
- Nikola Canestreni
- Moscow
- General Procuracy
- Kyiv
- N-tv
- Sergey K.
- Media
- Ukraine (SBU)
- Security Service
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