Germany has taken a significant step in its investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, issuing a European arrest warrant for a Ukrainian diving instructor believed to be involved in the attack. According to a report published by three major German media outletsâSĂŒddeutsche Zeitung, Die Zeit, and ARDâGerman investigators suspect that the Ukrainian man was part of a team that planted explosive devices on the pipelines in September 2022.
The Nord Stream pipelines, which were a crucial link for transporting Russian gas to Germany, were severely damaged in a series of explosions that destroyed three out of four pipelines. This act of sabotage not only disrupted a key energy supply but also heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with each side accusing the other of being responsible for the attack.
The Ukrainian suspect, who was last known to reside in Poland, has reportedly fled the country, according to security sources cited by Spiegel news magazine. The German prosecutor generalâs office, which has been leading the investigation, has not commented on the report, and Poland’s public prosecutorâs office has also remained silent on the matter. Despite the issuance of the arrest warrant in June, the suspect remains at large, adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate case.
In addition to the main suspect, German investigators have identified two other Ukrainian diving instructorsâa man and a womanâwho are believed to be connected to the sabotage. However, no arrest warrants have been issued for these individuals as of yet.
The Nord Stream explosions have remained a mystery, with investigators still piecing together the details of who was behind the attack and what their motivations might have been. A Swedish investigation confirmed that the blasts were deliberate acts of sabotage, finding traces of explosives on several objects recovered from the site. In January 2023, German prosecutors conducted a raid on a ship suspected of being used to transport the explosives, further supporting the theory that trained divers carried out the attack.
The destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines has had far-reaching implications, particularly for Germany, which had become increasingly reliant on Russian gas in the years leading up to the incident. The attack came just months after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine, further straining relations between Moscow and the West. While Russia and its Western adversaries have exchanged accusations, neither side has provided conclusive evidence of the other’s involvement in the sabotage.
As the investigation continues, the issuance of an arrest warrant for the Ukrainian diver marks a significant development in uncovering the truth behind the Nord Stream explosions. The case remains a stark reminder of the geopolitical tensions that continue to shape the conflict between Russia and the West, with the Nord Stream pipelines standing as a symbol of the broader energy and security challenges at play.
