Second Nord Stream Suspect Arrested in Croatia
German prosecutors have secured the arrest of a Ukrainian diver in connection with the 2022 bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Vladimir Z. was detained in Pula, Croatia, on August 19 on a European Arrest Warrant.
Background
German federal prosecutors had Ukrainian national Vladimir Z. arrested in Pula (Croatia) on August 19, 2026, by local police forces under coordination of the Zagreb General Police Directorate, executing a European Arrest Warrant issued on June 3, 2024. Vladimir Z. is a trained scuba diver who was part of a group of individuals – surrounding separately prosecuted Serhii K. – that planted explosives on the "Nord Stream 1" and "Nord Stream 2" gas pipelines near the island of Bornholm in September 2022.
The Charges
The suspect is strongly suspected of jointly causing explosions (section 308 of the German Criminal Code), anti-constitutional sabotage (section 88 no. 3), and destruction of buildings and structures (section 305 no. 1). This is the second arrest in connection with the incident that severely damaged both pipelines, preventing gas transport through them.
What This Means
This ongoing investigation highlights Germany's commitment to prosecuting the sabotage case despite its geopolitical sensitivity. The arrest of a Ukrainian national, combined with Germany's public statements distinguishing the investigation from its military support for Ukraine, reflects the complexity of balancing criminal justice with diplomatic relations during wartime. If you follow German news and politics, this story demonstrates how the country continues to pursue accountability for infrastructure damage while maintaining its strategic support for Ukraine.
Sources
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