Mohan Sinha
27 Sep 2026

ZAGREB, Croatia: A Croatian court has ruled that a Ukrainian man suspected of taking part in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions can be extradited to Germany, according to Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne on September 24.

German prosecutors have identified the man as Vladimir Z. and allege that he was a scuba diver involved in a group that carried out the blasts. The explosions happened months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The blasts damaged the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which carried Russian gas to Europe, and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which had been completed but was not yet operating.

Russia and Western countries have described the explosions as an act of sabotage. The incident has remained the subject of investigations in several European countries.

Vladimir Z.'s lawyer, Mykola Katerynchuk, criticized the Croatian court's decision as politically motivated and said the defense would appeal, according to Suspilne.

German authorities have argued that their courts have jurisdiction because the damaged pipelines end in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany. Prosecutors have also said the destruction affected Germany's energy security and internal safety.

Vladimir Z. was arrested in August at a hotel in the Croatian coastal city of Pula. His arrest followed a European arrest warrant. His lawyers have said he denies any involvement in the explosions.

Another suspect, former Ukrainian army officer Serhii K., was charged by German prosecutors in July. Prosecutors accuse him of organizing the operation while acting on behalf of Ukrainian state organizations.

Serhii K. was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and transferred to Germany in November. He has also denied involvement in the explosions near the Danish island of Bornholm.

The County Court in Pula confirmed that it had issued a ruling in the case. However, it said it could not provide details until the parties had decided whether they would appeal.