Ukrainian Diver Detained in Croatia Over Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts

A Ukrainian national suspected of helping sabotage the Nord Stream gas pipeline in September 2022 was arrested in Croatia, German prosecutors say. The case follows earlier arrests of two key suspects – Volodymyr Zhuravlyov in Poland (2025) and former Ukrainian officer Serhiy Kuznetsov in Italy (2025).

German authorities allege that the diver participated in underwater dives that placed explosives on the submarine routes between Russia and Germany. The extradition of the detained man from Croatia is now under consideration as part of a growing European coordinated effort to hold those involved accountable.

The raids undermine the fragile relationship between Kyiv and Berlin, with Ukraine denying any role in the blasts that crippled a contested energy corridor. Germany, a major West‑European backer of Ukraine’s war effort, has been pressing for a clear narrative over the incidents, while Poland and the United States had long opposed the pipeline project, citing security risks.

Continued international legal action is expected as German prosecutors seek to bring the suspect before a German court, facing charges of sabotage. The outcome will carry implications for energy security, diplomatic ties, and the future of European responses to undersea sabotage.