A Ukrainian man was arrested in Croatia on suspicion of involvement in the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, with Germany seeking his extradition to stand trial alongside another previously detained suspect.
On Wednesday, 19 Aug 2026 GMT+7, German authorities revealed that a Ukrainian man was detained in Croatia on suspicion of being one of the divers who planted explosives on the Nord Stream gas pipeline connecting Russia and Germany in September 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
This man is the second Ukrainian suspect arrested in connection with the explosions, which have strained relations between Ukraine and Germany—one of Ukraine’s key European allies during the war.
“This suspect was involved in the diving operations essential for the sabotage,” German prosecutors stated, adding that they are pursuing his extradition from Croatia.
Prosecutors identified the man only as Vladimir Z., a trained diver. However, it is understood that he is Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, who was previously arrested in Poland in 2025 as a suspect in the Nord Stream pipeline attack.
In that case, a Polish judge rejected Germany’s extradition request, reasoning that if Ukraine was responsible, the act could be considered "legitimate." Zhuravlyov was then released, surprising those present in court.
Another suspect in the case is Serhiy Kuznetsov, a former Ukrainian soldier. He was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and later extradited to Germany to face trial. Kuznetsov denies involvement in the explosions and was brought to court in Hamburg in June.
Prosecutors allege Kuznetsov led a team that used a yacht rented in Rostock, Germany, to covertly place explosives on the gas pipeline near Denmark’s Bornholm Island in the Baltic Sea.
Initially, European nations suspected Russia was behind the Nord Stream pipeline bombings. However, over time, evidence increasingly pointed to Ukrainian involvement, leading to the arrests of both suspects, despite Ukraine’s consistent denial of involvement.
Poland has openly criticized the Nord Stream project, arguing it increased Germany’s dependence on Moscow and caused Poland to lose transit fee revenue. Ukraine and the United States have also long opposed the pipeline.
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Source:bbc