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Ukrainian man arrested in Croatia over Nord Stream pipeline blasts
A Ukrainian national, identified as Volodymyr Zhuravlev, was arrested in Croatia on a European warrant for his alleged role in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. He is the second suspect in the case, following the earlier arrest of Serhii K. The arrest has been welcomed by Germany, while Ukraine has denied involvement.
A Ukrainian man wanted in Germany in connection with the 2022 undersea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines has been arrested on a European warrant in Croatia, German federal prosecutors said on Wednesday. The suspect, whom prosecutors identified only as Vladimir Z., was detained in the Croatian seaside city of Pula by local police acting on the arrest request.
The German prosecutor's office said the suspect was a "trained scuba diver" who belonged to a group of people who "planted explosives" on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm. The statement said he was "strongly suspected of jointly causing explosions, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destruction of buildings and structures." He would be brought before an investigating judge at Germany's federal court of justice after extradition, which Berlin is seeking.
The arrest was confirmed by a Croatian court, which ordered the suspect held in custody pending extradition to Germany, according to a statement from the regional court in Pula. The court's decision came during hearings on August 20.
The suspect's identity and prior legal history
The German prosecutor's office identified the man only as Vladimir Z., but a spokesperson confirmed to the Associated Press that it was the same man who was arrested in Poland last year and later released when a Polish court refused to extradite him to Germany. Polish authorities identified him as Volodymyr Zhuravlov, also rendered as Zhuravlev. He is understood to be a professional scuba diver and diving instructor, sometimes referred to as Vladimir Z.
In 2024, Zhuravlev evaded arrest in Poland and fled back to Ukraine. Last year, a Polish court refused to execute the European arrest warrant issued by Germany, ruling that German courts had no jurisdiction and that the destruction of Nord Stream could be seen as a justified action by Ukraine in a defensive war. The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, said at the time of the extradition hearing that it would not be in Poland's interest to hand him over. He has also publicly said that "the problem with Nord Stream 2 is not that it was blown up; the problem is that it was built."
According to Polish and German media, the suspect had evaded arrest in Poland in 2024, and Polish authorities blamed German administrative errors for his release. German media reported that he was helped to escape by a Ukrainian military attache stationed in Warsaw, but that is an allegation carried by one outlet.
His Polish lawyer, Tymoteusz Paprocki, said that if a Croatian court hears the case, it would amount to a ruling on something already decided in Poland. He argued, "Volodymyr knew that the ruling applies only on the territory of Poland," and expressed surprise, adding that his wife was surprised by the detention.
The German investigation and prior charges
The arrest in Croatia is the latest development in Germany's investigation into the September 26, 2022 explosions, which damaged three of the four pipelines. Berlin has been pursuing allegations that Ukrainian nationals were involved, and that the attack was ordered by the Ukrainian state.
Last month, German federal prosecutors filed charges against a former Ukrainian army officer, identified as Serhii K., in connection with the same explosions. According to arrest-warrant documents and a December 2025 detention ruling cited in several reports, prosecutors allege that Serhii K. helped coordinate a group that used the sailing yacht Andromeda to place explosives near Bornholm. The team allegedly included a coordinator, skipper, four deep-sea divers, and an explosives specialist. The prosecutors allege that the group acted on orders from Ukrainian state agencies, with the aim of halting gas supplies and preventing Russia from financing its war effort. Serhii K. was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and extradited to Germany in November; he has denied any responsibility and appeared before a court in Hamburg in June.
According to the indictment filed in June, Serhii K. served as an officer in the Ukrainian army in 2022 and helped organize the operation after Russia's full-scale invasion in February. He is alleged to have entered Germany from Poland on September 4, 2022, using a forged Ukrainian passport before joining the group to transport military-grade explosives to the Nord Stream pipelines.
The German prosecutor's office has said that the saboteurs rented a sailing yacht from a German company using forged document and intermediaries and used it to deliver explosives.
Reactions
The German government welcomed the arrest of Zhuravlev. Justice Ministry spokesman Nicholas Limmer said, "We're simply glad that the federal prosecutor's office is making progress in these investigations, because it's important that the bombing of the pipelines be clarified as well."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated on Sunday that Ukraine was not involved in the attack. "Ukraine has never even been involved in even the idea of this operation," he told reporters in Kyiv during the Ukraine–Nordic-Baltic Eight summit. "I hope there will be results of the investigation. We are ready to help." He added that Germany was "well aware that Ukraine did not stand behind the execution or the very conception of this operation." Zelensky said Ukraine was assisting with the investigation and stressed the importance of not losing trust and partnership with the European countries.
Broader context
The explosions came months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and just months after Moscow had halted gas deliveries via Nord Stream 1. The pipelines were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, but they had been the subject of long-standing opposition from Poland and other eastern European countries.
Russia has accused Washington of staging the explosions, a charge Washington has denied. Poland has also been a vocal critic of the era of the pipeline project.
The recent arrests have strained relations between Kyiv and Berlin, as Germany remains one of Ukraine's key backers. President Zelensky's denial of any involvement has been consistent, and Ukrainian authorities have said they are cooperating with German investigators. However, German federal prosecutors have alleged that the blasts were ordered by the country.
Perspectives
Ukrainian government
President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically denied any Ukrainian involvement in the 2022 sabotage, stating that "Ukraine has officially never taken part in any operation related to the blowing up of Nord Stream" and that "Germany is fully certain that Ukraine did not stand behind the execution or the very conception of this operation." He has emphasized that Kyiv is cooperating with the investigation and hopes the incident will not undermine trust.
German prosecutors
German federal prosecutors allege that the explosion orders emanated from the Ukrainian state, and they are pursuing a case against the two Ukrainian suspects, alleging that they were part of a group acting on orders to prevent Russia from financing its war effort. They describe the divers as participating in the operation.
Poland
Polish officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have publicly opposed the Nord Stream project, and the court that refused extradition earlier ruled that the attack could be seen as justified action by Ukraine in a defensive war. Poland has not cooperated with earlier extradition requests, and its official stance has been that the pipeline's destruction was not the issue, but its construction.
How each outlet told it
Al Jazeera
Framing: States the arrest of a second Ukrainian national over the blast — Neutral, factual
Facts Included:
A second Ukrainian suspect was arrested in Croatia and will be extradited to Germany
The suspect, identified as Vladimir Z, was arrested on Wednesday
The German government welcomed the arrest; Justice Ministry spokesman Nicholas Limmer quoted
The first suspect, former Ukrainian army officer Serhii K, was charged in July with orchestrating the blasts
Serhii K was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and transferred to Germany in November, denied involvement
Authorities in Kyiv said they did not have enough information to respond in detail
Vladimir Z was a trained scuba diver part of a group led by Serhii K
Russia and Western countries described the explosions as sabotage
The explosions damaged Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2
Moscow had halted gas deliveries, blaming Western sanctions
Poland has long opposed the pipelines
German prosecutors said the aim was to prevent Russia from financing its war effort
German courts have jurisdiction because the pipelines end in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Framing: Leads with Zelensky's denial and cooperation with the probe; omits the arrest details from the headline — Measured, reporting Zelensky's denial with a focus on diplomatic implications
Facts Included:
Zelensky repeated on Aug 23 that Kyiv did not take part in the 2022 attack on Nord Stream
German prosecutors said in July the blasts were ordered by the Ukrainian state
Zelensky said Germany was 'well aware that Ukraine did not stand behind the execution or the very conception of this operation'
Zelensky said Kyiv was helping Berlin with its investigation and hoped it would not cause a rift
On Aug 19, a Ukrainian man was arrested in Croatia on suspicion of taking part in the bombings
The man was reportedly working on a film about the attack
German prosecutors allege the individual collaborated with another Ukrainian man arrested in Italy in 2025
Framing: Highlights the arrest of a Ukrainian diver and the context of the investigation — Neutral but with some dramatic framing (e.g., 'landmark ruling')
Facts Included:
A Ukrainian man was arrested in Croatia as part of the investigation
The man is a trained scuba diver, allegedly involved in the explosions
Arrested in Pula on Wednesday; Berlin will seek extradition
Prosecutors said the suspect belonged to a group, including Serhiy K, who planted explosives near Bornholm
The suspect participated in the necessary dives
Identified as Vladimir Z, understood to be Volodymyr Zhuravlev
Zhuravlev was arrested by Poland last year and released after a Polish court ruled against extradition
The Polish court argued Germany had no jurisdiction and the destruction could be seen as justified
The ruling aligned with Poland's opposition to the pipeline
Polish PM Donald Tusk publicly said 'the problem with Nord Stream 2 is not that it was blown up; the problem is that it was built'
Polish and German media reported the suspect had evaded arrest in Poland in 2024, with Polish authorities blaming German administrative errors
Der Spiegel alleged the suspect was helped to escape by a Ukrainian military attache
The second arrest highlights Berlin's determination despite awkwardness
Serhiy K was arrested in Italy last August and extradited to Germany in November
Framing: Focuses on a German MP's demand for clarification of Ukraine's role — Critical, with a focus on political demands rather than neutral reporting
Facts Included:
Markus Frohnmaier, deputy head of AfD faction, called for full clarification of Ukraine's role
Frohnmaier described the detention as 'an important step towards investigating the most serious act of sabotage against Germany’s critical infrastructure'
He said it was the same suspect whom Poland previously refused to extradite
He said the other criminals appear to be in Ukraine
He criticized Berlin for not exerting significant political pressure on Kiev
On Wednesday, German Federal Prosecutor's Office said a Ukrainian citizen was detained in Croatia
The detainee is a professional diver who participated in the dives
The saboteurs rented a sailing yacht using forged documents
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine never officially took part in any operation related to the blowing up of Nord Stream.
ClaimGerman prosecutors allege the individual arrested in Croatia collaborated with another Ukrainian man arrested in Italy in 2025 before being extradited to Germany.
ClaimMarkus Frohnmaier, deputy head of the AfD faction in the Bundestag, called for a full clarification of Ukraine's role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.
ClaimFrohnmaier described the detention of a new suspect as an important step towards investigating the most serious act of sabotage against Germany's critical infrastructure.
ClaimOn Wednesday, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office said a Ukrainian citizen who is believed to have participated in the sabotage of the gas pipelines was detained in Croatia.
ClaimThe saboteurs rented a sailing yacht from a German company using forged documents and used it to deliver the explosives to the Nord Stream pipelines.
ClaimA Ukrainian man wanted in Germany in connection with the 2022 undersea explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines was arrested on a European warrant in Croatia on Wednesday.
ClaimThe suspect was a 'trained scuba diver' who belonged to a group of people who 'planted explosives' on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm.
ClaimThe undersea explosions on Sept. 26, 2022, damaged the Nord Stream pipelines, which had been built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
ClaimHe was arrested in the Croatian seaside city of Pula and would be brought before an investigating judge at Germany's federal court of justice after extradition.
ClaimThe German prosecutor's office identified the suspect as Vladimir Z., but a spokesperson confirmed it was the same man arrested in Poland last year and later released when a Polish court refused to extradite him to Germany; Polish authorities identified him as Volodymyr Zhuravlov.
ClaimPoland has long opposed the Nord Stream pipelines, viewing them as an attempt by Russia to use its vast energy resources to gain leverage across Europe.
ClaimZhuravlov's Polish lawyer, Tymoteusz Paprocki, told the AP that 'Volodymyr knew that the ruling applies only on the territory of Poland' and that Zhuravlov's wife was surprised by his detention in Croatia.
ClaimJustice Ministry spokesman Nicholas Limmer said 'We're simply glad that the federal prosecutor's office is making progress in these investigations, because it's important that the bombing of the pipelines be clarified as well'.
ClaimLast month, German federal prosecutors filed charges against a former Ukrainian army officer, identified as Serhii K., in connection with the same explosions.
ClaimSerhii K. faces charges of causing an explosion, damaging property, disrupting public service and being an 'accomplice to war crimes' by attacking civilian objects.
ClaimSerhii K. was detained in August 2025 in an Italian village, where officers raided a bungalow where he was staying with his family; police said he surrendered without resistance.
ClaimThe suspects allegedly used a yacht that set off from the German port of Rostock; the yacht was rented from a German company using forged IDs and intermediaries.
ClaimThe explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russia's main natural gas supply route to Germany until Moscow cut off supplies in August 2022.
ClaimThe explosions also damaged Nord Stream 2, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia's invasion.
ClaimAn indictment filed in June against Serhii K. alleges that he co-perpetrated an attack that severely damaged the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
ClaimSerhii K. was serving as an officer in the Ukrainian army in 2022 and helped organize a group of professional divers, a skipper and an explosives specialist for the operation.
ClaimProsecutors allege the group acted on orders from Ukrainian state agencies and intended to permanently disrupt gas supplies through the pipelines and prevent Russia from earning revenue from natural gas exports.
ClaimVladimir Z. is a trained scuba diver who was allegedly part of the group surrounding Serhii K. and participated in the dives required to place explosives on the pipelines near Bornholm.
ClaimThe suspect is expected to be brought before Germany's Investigating Judge at the Federal Court of Justice following his extradition from Croatia.
ClaimThe Polish court ruled that Germany had no jurisdiction in the case, and that the destruction of Nord Stream could be seen as a justified action by Ukraine as part of a defensive war.
ClaimPolish Prime Minister Donald Tusk publicly said that "the problem with Nord Stream 2 is not that it was blown up; the problem is that it was built".
ClaimPolish and German media reported that the suspect had evaded arrest in Poland in 2024, fleeing back to Ukraine; Polish authorities blamed Germany for administrative errors when logging him into the international wanted database.
ClaimGerman arrest-warrant documents and a December 2025 detention ruling allege that Serhii K helped coordinate a group that used the sailing yacht Andromeda to place explosives near Denmark's Bornholm island.
ClaimThe September 2022 explosions damaged both Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, cutting off major infrastructure built to carry Russian gas to Europe.
ClaimThe first suspect in the case, former Ukrainian army officer Serhii K, was charged by prosecutors in July with orchestrating the blasts while acting on behalf of Ukrainian state entities.
ClaimRussia and Western countries have described the September 2022 explosions, which followed Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier that year, as sabotage.
ClaimGerman prosecutors have said the aim of the alleged attack was to permanently halt gas deliveries through the pipelines and thereby prevent Russia from using revenue from the natural gas trade to finance its war effort.
ClaimGerman courts have treated the case as falling within their jurisdiction because the damaged pipelines end in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and their loss affected Germany's energy security and internal safety.
ClaimIn early 2026, German authorities detained the first suspect, a Ukrainian national Serhii K., and alleged that he and six accomplices had acted 'on the orders of state authorities in Ukraine'.
ClaimThe Nord Stream 1 pipeline ran the Baltic Sea and delivered gas from Russia to Germany and other countries in Europe; Nord Stream 2 was constructed but never went into use.
ClaimVolodymyr Zhuravlev was working as a consultant on the set of a Hollywood film called Snake Island, directed by Doug Liman, starring Sean Penn and Adrien Brody.
ClaimHis Polish lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki said if a Croatian court hears this case, it would amount to a ruling on something already decided in Poland.
ClaimFederal prosecutors in Germany brought charges against a former Ukrainian army officer identified as Serhii K in July this year; they insisted that he was acting on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence authorities.
ClaimSerhii K led a team of professional divers, a skipper and an explosives expert. These suspects entered Germany in September 2022 on a forged Ukrainian passport and boarded a yacht rented using forged identification documents.
12 outlets · 17 articles consulted: Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC — World, Deutsche Welle, Outlook India, The Straits Times, Times Now, Ukrinform, WTOP, The Guardian — World, South China Morning Post, TASS — English79 claims extractedVersion 7Written 2026-08-24