Ukrainian Arrested in Poland Over Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions

In Poland, a Ukrainian man was arrested on the basis of a European arrest warrant issued by a German court, which suspects him of involvement in the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

The detainee, identified by the initials V. Z., was arrested in the town of Pruszków and has been brought to the Warsaw district prosecutor’s office for further procedural actions.

His defense stated that there are no grounds for extradition to Germany. According to attorney Tymoteusz Paprocki, in light of the war in Ukraine and the fact that Nord Stream is owned by the Russian company Gazprom, there are no real chances to bring charges against anyone involved in this activity.

“Overall, considering the full-scale war in Ukraine and the fact that Nord Stream is owned by the Russian company Gazprom, which funds this activity, the defense currently sees no possibility of charging anyone involved in this activity”

After this, the extradition procedure will begin. It is currently unknown whether the Ukrainian will be extradited to Germany. The decision will be made by the court. The defense states that it will do everything possible to avoid extradition.

Context of the case and previous investigations

According to law enforcement, the German side asserts a direct link between the detainee and the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

According to reports, the suspect allegedly had diving instructor skills; according to reports, in September 2022 he allegedly swam from Rostock to the Baltic Sea, dived underwater, and placed an explosive near an underwater pipeline.

In August 2024, some media reported that Volodymyr Z. had recently been living near Warsaw. According to information, at the beginning of June 2024 the European arrest warrant was sent to Poland, but he was not arrested.

“The Polish prosecutor’s office, having received the European arrest warrant, was to confirm its location; Volodymyr Z. left Polish territory”

In August, there were also reports of arrests of Ukrainian citizens in Italy on suspicion of involvement in the explosions on the gas pipeline. According to investigators, one of the arrested coordinated the operation; his accomplices are still being sought.

News agencies voiced various theories about who could be behind the attack. Official conclusions of investigations have not yet been released, and international institutions continue to monitor the developments.