BBC:
Ukrainian held in Italy over Nord Stream gas pipelines blast mystery
19 hours ago
Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor
Danish Defence handout
Three of the four pipelines under the Baltic Sea near Bornholm were damaged by the blasts
German prosecutors say a Ukrainian man has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, several months after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The man, identified only as Serhii K, was arrested in the province of Rimini and was part of a group who planted explosives under the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines from Russia to Germany, federal prosecutors say.
The blasts severed a key source of natural gas for Europe when leaders were facing an energy crisis triggered by Russia's war.
No-one admitted carrying out the attack, and Ukraine has denied involvement.
The Ukrainian, who was detained by Italy's carabinieri military police stationed in the northern coastal resort of Misano Adriatico, is suspected of being one of the masterminds of the operation.
Prosecutors said he was part of a team that had chartered a yacht and sailed from the German port of Rostock to an area of the Baltic near the Danish island of Bornholm.
Although Nord Stream 2 never went into operation, Nord Stream 1's two pipelines had provided a steady supply 1,200km (745 miles) under the Baltic from the Russian coast to north-eastern Germany.
Shortly before Russia's invasion, Germany had cancelled its process to approve Nord Stream 2, which was 100% owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom. Months later, Russia shut down Nord Stream 1, blaming problems with equipment.
Then, on 26 September 2022, several explosions were recorded that ruptured three of the four pipelines.
Mystery surrounded the identity of the saboteurs, with Russia coming under Western suspicion and Moscow blaming the US and UK.
Last year German reports suggested a team of Ukrainian divers had hired a yacht and sailed out into the Baltic to attack the pipelines.
German prosecutors issued a warrant for the arrest of a diver named Volodymyr Z last August.
They said on Thursday that the suspect held in Rimini would be brought before an investigating judge after he was extradited from Italy.
The prosecutors said the man was "strongly suspected of jointly causing an explosion and of sabotage undermining the constitution".
There is no evidence so far linking Ukraine, Russia or any other state to the attacks.
Three of the four pipelines under the Baltic Sea near Bornholm were damaged by the blasts
German prosecutors say a Ukrainian man has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, several months after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The man, identified only as Serhii K, was arrested in the province of Rimini and was part of a group who planted explosives under the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines from Russia to Germany, federal prosecutors say.
The blasts severed a key source of natural gas for Europe when leaders were facing an energy crisis triggered by Russia's war.
No-one admitted carrying out the attack, and Ukraine has denied involvement.
The Ukrainian, who was detained by Italy's carabinieri military police stationed in the northern coastal resort of Misano Adriatico, is suspected of being one of the masterminds of the operation.
Prosecutors said he was part of a team that had chartered a yacht and sailed from the German port of Rostock to an area of the Baltic near the Danish island of Bornholm.
Although Nord Stream 2 never went into operation, Nord Stream 1's two pipelines had provided a steady supply 1,200km (745 miles) under the Baltic from the Russian coast to north-eastern Germany.
Shortly before Russia's invasion, Germany had cancelled its process to approve Nord Stream 2, which was 100% owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom. Months later, Russia shut down Nord Stream 1, blaming problems with equipment.
Then, on 26 September 2022, several explosions were recorded that ruptured three of the four pipelines.
Mystery surrounded the identity of the saboteurs, with Russia coming under Western suspicion and Moscow blaming the US and UK.
Last year German reports suggested a team of Ukrainian divers had hired a yacht and sailed out into the Baltic to attack the pipelines.
German prosecutors issued a warrant for the arrest of a diver named Volodymyr Z last August.
They said on Thursday that the suspect held in Rimini would be brought before an investigating judge after he was extradited from Italy.
The prosecutors said the man was "strongly suspected of jointly causing an explosion and of sabotage undermining the constitution".
There is no evidence so far linking Ukraine, Russia or any other state to the attacks.
Three years on and still no protes in Harvard, Columbia, Londonstan or Sydney Harm-ass Bridge.
ReplyDeleteNo chant:
From the Dneiper River to the Black Sea, Donbas and Crimea shall be Free.
Why?
No Isaacs involved?
Mfer, u know it deep in ur rodden heart - no protests simply bcoz the mfering Europe rejected zionists r involved!
DeleteDonbas and Crimea are “occupied territory”, same as Judea and Samaria but area is 200 times larger.
ReplyDeleteRussification in process. Ukrainian people displaced, like Gaza. 35,000 children kidnapped and held hostage in Russia, like Gaza, but much worse. No foreign press allowed in, like Gaza.
But UN is silent. Not a single resolution on this. Hari2 Just Gaza Gaza Gaza. Tak ada kerja lain.
Wakakakaka… know-nothing fart of inconsequential!
DeleteRussification in process????!!!!!
Donbass & Crimea were long Russian speaking territories, with eon of deep Russian Slavic links!
Mfer, siapa tu bisingx2 banyank, cari rezeki tiapx2 hari dari kuam yehudi yang kejam?