A Ukrainian national has been apprehended in Italy in connection with the investigation into the attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines. The arrest occurred overnight and was executed based on a European Arrest Warrant issued by an investigating judge at Germany’s Federal Court of Justice, according to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
The individual, identified as Serhii K., was taken into custody in the province of Rimini by officers from the Carabinieri station in Misano Adriatico, working in close collaboration with the International Police Cooperation Service. He is a key suspect in a case involving the joint commission of an explosive act, subversive sabotage against constitutional structures and the destruction of critical infrastructure.
Investigators allege that Serhii K. was part of a group responsible for deploying explosive devices near the Danish island of Bornholm in September 2022, targeting the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. He is believed to have acted as a coordinator for the operation. The group allegedly utilized a sailing yacht, originating from Rostock, for transport. This yacht was reportedly leased through a German company using falsified identification documents and intermediaries.
The explosions occurred on September 26, 2022, causing significant damage to both pipelines. Following his extradition from Italy, the suspect is scheduled to appear before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice in Germany.