Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine never officially took part in any operations to blow up the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, according to statements reported by Reuters. The remarks come as international investigators continue to probe the September 2022 explosions that ruptured the major subsea energy corridors linking Russia and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea.
Zelenskyy Denies State Involvement in Nord Stream Sabotage
Kyiv has repeatedly denied any state backing for the 2022 attacks on the energy infrastructure. In statements reported by Reuters, President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine never officially engaged in sabotage operations targeting Nord Stream 2. Despite these denials, international investigators have spent years tracing the logistics of the blasts that damaged both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 near the Danish island of Bornholm on September 26, 2022.
German Prosecutors Target Ukrainian Nationals in Investigation
According to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office, an individual identified as Serhij K. and other military personnel allegedly drafted a destruction plan ordered by Ukrainian state organs. Italian police arrested Serhij K., and Italy subsequently extradited him to Germany, where he now faces formal charges.
A second Ukrainian citizen, Vladimir Z., is currently held in custody in Croatia while Berlin actively seeks his extradition. German investigators state that Vladimir Z. belonged to the cell surrounding Serhij K. that deployed explosives onto Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 in September 2022. While Germany proceeds with prosecutions, separate probes by Denmark and Sweden both concluded without local criminal charges, as Swedish prosecutors dropped the matter due to a lack of jurisdiction and Danish authorities found insufficient grounds for trial despite confirming intentional damage.
Timeline and Operational Status of Nord Stream Pipelines
Nord Stream 1 began delivering natural gas from Russia to Germany in 2011, while Nord Stream 2 finished construction in 2021 without ever entering commercial operation. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the pipeline was not put into commercial operation. At the time of the September 26, 2022 explosions, neither pipeline was actively transporting gas, with Russia attributing the cessation of flow through Nord Stream 1 to maintenance requirements.
Did you know? Nord Stream 2 was fully completed in 2021 but never pumped commercial gas due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ukraine official state bodies order the Nord Stream bombing?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explicitly denied any official Ukrainian involvement in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline explosions. However, German prosecutors allege that specific military members acted under state directives.
Who is currently in custody regarding the Nord Stream explosions?
German prosecutors have secured the extradition and prosecution of Serhij K. from Italy, while a second suspect, Vladimir Z., remains detained in Croatia awaiting potential extradition to Germany.
What was the operational status of the pipelines during the blasts?
Neither Nord Stream 1 nor Nord Stream 2 was actively delivering gas to Germany when explosions ruptured the lines on September 26, 2022.
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