Hamburg:Germany is set to begin a high-profile trial against a Ukrainian national, Serhii K., accused of participating in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. Prosecutors allege that the operation was ordered by Ukrainian state authorities.

According to Anadolu Agency, Serhii K. was detained in Italy near Rimini in August 2025 and extradited to Germany three months later. He is currently in pretrial detention in Hamburg, facing charges of causing an explosion, damaging property, disrupting public services, and being an 'accomplice to war crimes' for targeting civilian objects.

The Nord Stream pipelines, essential for transporting natural gas from Russia to Germany, suffered extensive damage following explosions and gas leaks in sections under Danish and Swedish waters. The incident triggered various international accusations, with Russia launching a criminal case on international terrorism charges.

Initially, Western officials suspected Russia of involvement, but German investigators turned their focus to Ukraine. The US, UK, and Poland, also accused, have denied involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has maintained that Ukraine was not involved, citing high-level discussions with Germany to confirm Kyiv's non-involvement.

German prosecutors claim that Serhii K., an officer in the Ukrainian army at the time, helped plan the operation to destroy the pipelines and halt Russian gas deliveries, preventing Moscow from using energy revenues for its war efforts. Investigators allege that the suspects used forged Ukrainian passports and a yacht, the Andromeda, where traces of explosives were found. The explosives were reportedly attached near Denmark's Bornholm island and detonated on September 26, 2022.

Serhii K. denies the allegations as the trial opens at a Hamburg court.