Ukrainian citizen Serhii Kuznetsov, arrested by Italian authorities at Germany’s request, refused extradition during his hearing before the Court of Appeal of Bologna. Aged 49, he is suspected by the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office of having participated in coordinating a commando operation responsible for the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea in 2022. His arrest marks the first significant judicial step in this case, which carries major energy and diplomatic implications.
According to Italian authorities, the man was detained in the province of Rimini, where he was staying with his family. Before the Italian judges, he requested the assistance of a Ukrainian interpreter, explaining that he did not speak English fluently. He then declared that he was in Ukraine at the time of the incident and formally refused extradition. The magistrates scheduled a new hearing for September 3, while he remains in provisional detention.
A sabotage with strategic consequences
The explosions that occurred on September 26, 2022, caused four major leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. These conduits directly linked Russia to Germany, serving as a key route for natural gas supply to Europe. The incident took place as Moscow had already suspended deliveries via Nord Stream 1, heightening the energy crisis between Russia and its European partners.
Nord Stream 2, built but never commissioned, represented a controversial project, strongly opposed by the United States and part of the European Union. Its definitive paralysis, following the explosions, intensified diplomatic tensions surrounding the continent’s energy supply.
European investigations and ongoing uncertainty
Germany, Sweden, and Denmark each launched separate investigations after the sabotage. The Scandinavian inquiries were closed in 2024 due to a lack of conclusive evidence. The German investigation remains active, aiming to identify the perpetrators and possible sponsors of the operation.
From the beginning, several theories have suggested potential state involvement, though no evidence has confirmed such suspicions. Ukraine, Russia, and the United States have consistently denied any responsibility. The arrest of a first suspect in Italy will likely bring the case back to the forefront of judicial and geopolitical debates in Europe.
