Germany puts Ukrainian on trial accused of blowing up Nord Stream pipelines
Four years after the attacks, Serhii K will appear in court accused of a plot to destroy Russia's gas pipelines to Germany.
A Ukrainian man named Serhii K is set to go on trial in Hamburg on Wednesday, accused of being involved in the 2022 bombing of Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines. Ukrainian prosecutors claim that K and other Ukrainian military personnel plotted to destroy the pipelines to prevent Russia from generating revenue from gas sales. This case has significant implications for Germany, as it regards one of their closest allies, Ukraine, since Russia's invasion in 2022.
Serhii K, who was extradited to Germany last year, will be the first suspect to stand trial for the blasts. He and a second suspect are both denying the charges. The attack on the gas pipelines was carried out on September 26th, 2022, in the Baltic Sea off the island of Bornholm, with investigators initially suspecting Moscow, but later shifting their focus to a group of Ukrainian deep-sea divers allegedly tied to the attack.
Despite tensions between Ukraine and Germany, Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko believes that this trial will not damage their relationship, as it is in Germany's best interest to maintain support for Ukraine.
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