German news magazine Der Spiegel reported this week that the suspect arrested for the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage was an active-duty Ukrainian special forces captain at the time of the incident. The revelation comes as legal proceedings unfold in Germany, where the suspect is currently detained pending trial.
According to a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense document obtained by Der Spiegel, the individual served in a special operations unit from August 2022 to November 2023. A former Ukrainian military officer confirmed the soldier's service record, stating he was under strict command during the period of the pipeline explosions in September 2022.
The suspect, arrested during a family vacation in Italy this summer, faces charges related to the deliberate destruction of three Nord Stream pipelines in international waters. German authorities extradited him in late November 2025 following months of diplomatic coordination.
Defense lawyer Nicola Canestrini argued in a November hearing that the suspect's actions – if proven – would constitute state-ordered military operations exempt from criminal prosecution under international law. "This case raises critical questions about jurisdictional boundaries in conflict-related activities," said Canestrini during court proceedings.
The Nord Stream explosions three years ago disrupted Europe's energy infrastructure, triggering multinational investigations that continue to influence EU energy security policies. As the trial prepares to commence, analysts warn the case could impact Ukraine's international relations amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
