Ukrainian ex-officer goes on trial in Germany over Nord Stream blasts
The trial is expected to run into February and could test Germany’s political stance on Ukraine.
A Ukrainian former military officer is standing trial in Germany, accused of organising the secret operation that blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 and cut Western Europe off from its biggest source of Russian natural gas.
It is the first public hearing of the evidence in a years-long investigation.
Serhii K. was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and extradited to Germany that November.
They allege he travelled to Germany through Poland on a forged Ukrainian passport about three weeks before the attack.
German prosecutors say attacking civilian targets and destroying infrastructure in this way would amount to a war crime.
Three of the four concrete-coated steel pipelines ruptured, sending huge plumes of methane into the atmosphere.
Moscow denied blowing up its own pipelines and had already cut supplies in response to European sanctions.
Russia said on Monday it expected a “just verdict” naming the perpetrators and those who ordered the operation.
Last month, a Croatian court approved handing over the wanted man to Germany.
Dive deeper
- The trial is expected to run into February and could test Germany’s political stance on Ukraine.
- A Ukrainian former military officer is standing trial in Germany, accused of organising the secret operation that blew up the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 and cut Western Europe off from its biggest source of Russian natural gas.
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- It is the first public hearing of the evidence in a years-long investigation.