Germany has issued an arrest warrant for an Ukrainian diver allegedly linked to the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline along with two other Ukrainian citizens.
According to a joint investigation by three German media outlets (the public broadcaster ARD, the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, and the weekly Die Zeit) the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office suspects three Ukrainian diving instructors of being involved in the explosions.
Germany’s investigation results in arrest warrant for Ukrainian citizens
Agence France-Presse (AFP) later confirmed the information, revealing that the Polish prosecutor’s office had received an European arrest warrant in June from Germany’s federal prosecutor. The warrant targeted a Ukrainian man, identified as Volodymyr Z., who was living in Poland at the time.
Under European judicial cooperation rules, Polish authorities had 60 days to respond to the German request and apprehend the suspect. However, according to the Polish prosecutor’s office, the suspect left Poland in early July and returned to Ukraine. Polish officials blamed the German authorities for allowing the suspect to leave, claiming that he had not been added to the wanted persons register and was therefore able to exit the country without being apprehended.
Volodymyr Z. is suspected of being involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline, alongside two other Ukrainians, who have been identified as Jevhen U. and Svitlana U. The trio allegedly transported explosives aboard a yacht named “Andromeda,” which was linked to a German prosecutor’s investigation revealed in 2023.
Investigators believe the yacht departed from Rostock, Germany, and traveled through the Baltic Sea, making stops on a Danish island before continuing to Sweden and Poland.
Nord Stream pipeline sabotage
In September 2022, an explosion crippled the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which are vital conduits for Russian gas to Germany and Europe. Uncertainty about who was responsible for the incident triggered a diplomatic crisis, further straining relationships that had already been damaged owing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Ukraine and the United States accused Russia of orchestrating the sabotage, Moscow claimed claims that it was the result of a joint operation involving Ukraine, Poland, and other NATO countries.
In response, Germany initiated an investigation, labeling the attack a “deliberate provocation by detonation using explosives.” Nearly two years later, the investigation has reportedly yielded its first significant lead.
Today, Wednesday, August 14, a German government spokesperson stated that “the investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage is a top priority.”
However, the spokesperson stressed that the investigation would not impact Germany’s relationship with Ukraine.
“This matter is entirely independent of our commitment to supporting Ukraine,” the spokesperson said, adding that the federal chancellor has consistently affirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and its defense against Russia’s war of aggression, which violates international law.
Related: Ukraine Denies Involvement in Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage
