Italian police recently apprehended a Ukrainian man suspected of orchestrating the 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines, which connect Russia to Germany. This event marks the first significant arrest related to the complex sabotage amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
German authorities announced that the individual, referred to as Serhii K., was captured in Misano Adriatico by Italian law enforcement. The arrest is viewed as a major success in a case that had perplexed investigators for over a year. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig praised the development, emphasizing the thoroughness of the investigation.
According to prosecutors, Serhii K. allegedly coordinated the undersea bombing that involved divers using a sailboat chartered under false identities to plant explosives on the pipelines. The attacks sparked many theories about their origin, with initial suspects ranging from Russia to the United States. However, in time, investigations pointed to a pro-Ukrainian group as the culprits.
The arrest comes more than a year after another Ukrainian suspect evaded capture by fleeing Poland. As the case proceeds, extradition to Germany for trial seems likely, although it may take some time. The Nord Stream pipelines were targeted during the heightened tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and their damage has since impacted European gas supplies amidst the conflict.
