Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine “officially” never participated in the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, according to a press conference cited by the UNIAN news agency and reported by MTI. Underwater blasts in the Baltic Sea targeted the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines transporting natural gas from Russia to Germany on September 26, 2022. Zelenskyy added that Kyiv is ready to cooperate in joint steps to clarify all circumstances surrounding the investigation.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings into Pipeline Sabotage
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an investigation is currently underway regarding the arrests of Ukrainian citizens and the judicial proceedings initiated against them over the pipeline explosions. “There is an investigation. It is currently ongoing. There is a situation, there are accusations, there are witnesses, meaning the court process is ongoing,” Zelenskyy said, as quoted by the UNIAN news agency. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office launched a criminal case under international terrorism charges following the blasts. Meanwhile, the German prosecution suspects that Ukrainian state agencies stood behind the 2022 attacks.
Diplomatic Engagement with Germany and European Partners
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine held high-level talks with the German side on multiple occasions regarding the issue. According to the Ukrainian head of state, German officials “know very well that Ukraine was not behind the implementation or the planning of the operation.” For Kyiv, maintaining partnerships and the trust of European countries that have provided aid since the war began is critical. “Therefore, we are completely open to joint steps related to the investigation aimed at clarifying all circumstances,” Zelenskyy stated, as cited by MTI.
Pipeline Status and Official Stances
The parallel Nord Stream 1 pipeline—connecting Vyborg, Russia, to Lubmin, Germany—and Nord Stream 2 suffered extensive damage during the September 26, 2022, attacks, which bypassed Poland and Belarus. Out of the four total lines, three were critically damaged, while one branch of Nord Stream 2 remains operational, though the Berlin cabinet rejected Russian offers to resume gas flows through it. In early July, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office concluded that Kyiv had no connection to the destruction and proposed forming a joint investigative team with Germany.
Did You Know?
Only one of the four original gas transmission lines across the Baltic Sea remains technically capable of operation following the 2022 blasts, yet German authorities have consistently declined to import Russian gas through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ukraine officially participate in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions?
No. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine never officially took part in any operations related to blowing up the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, and the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office stated in July that Kyiv had no involvement.
Who is investigating the Nord Stream sabotage?
German prosecutors are investigating suspected Ukrainian state involvement and have initiated legal proceedings against certain Ukrainian citizens, while the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office treats the incident as an act of international terrorism.
What is the current operational status of the pipelines?
Three of the four lines across the Baltic Sea suffered fatal damage during the September 2022 explosions, leaving only one branch of Nord Stream 2 operational, though Germany has rejected using it.
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