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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 19, 2026Miami-Dade

German authorities arrest Ukrainian suspect in 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions

German federal prosecutors have secured the arrest of a Ukrainian national, identified as Volodymyr Zhuravlov, in Croatia on a European warrant for his alleged role in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The suspect, a trained scuba diver, is accused of planting explosives on the undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

international relationscriminal justiceenergy infrastructurewar in Ukraine
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Why It Matters

The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the destruction of critical energy infrastructure that previously supplied Russian natural gas to Germany, an event that heightened geopolitical tensions during the war in Ukraine.

Key Facts

  • Volodymyr Zhuravlov was arrested in Pula, Croatia, on a European warrant issued by Germany.
  • The suspect is accused of jointly causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destruction of buildings and structures.
  • The explosions occurred on September 26, 2022, in the Baltic Sea near Bornholm, Denmark.
  • The suspect is a trained scuba diver allegedly part of a group that planted explosives on the pipelines.
  • Zhuravlov was previously detained in Poland last year but was released after a Polish court refused extradition.
  • German prosecutors also filed charges last month against a former Ukrainian army officer, Serhii K., for the same explosions.
  • Serhii K. was detained in Italy in August 2025 and extradited to Germany in November.
  • The suspects allegedly used a yacht rented from a German company using forged IDs.
  • Nord Stream 1 was Russia's main natural gas supply route to Germany until supplies were cut in August 2022.
  • Nord Stream 2 never entered service due to Germany suspending its certification process.

Who's Mentioned

otherNord Stream 2“Gas pipeline damaged in the 2022 explosions.”personVolodymyr Zhuravlov“Suspect arrested in Croatia for the Nord Stream pipeline explosions.”otherNord Stream 1“Gas pipeline damaged in the 2022 explosions.”personSerhii K.“Former Ukrainian army officer charged in connection with the same explosions.”locationCroatia“Location of the suspect's arrest.”personNicholas Limmer“Justice Ministry spokesman for Germany.”personTymoteusz Paprocki“Lawyer for Volodymyr Zhuravlov.”locationGermany“Jurisdiction leading the investigation.”locationPoland“Country where the suspect was previously detained and released.”personDonald Tusk“Prime Minister of Poland.”