Trial defence says Russia used Nord Stream pipelines as 'weapon'

On September 26, 2022, four underwater explosions rocked the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany. The attacks strained relations among Europe and the West, already wary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine just months prior. Most of Germany's gas supply, before the war, came through the pipelines. The pipelines, owned primarily by Gazprom, are made up of four pipes each running 1,200 km through the Baltic Sea.

The first pipeline, Nord Stream 1, was completed in 2011 and transported 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Germany. The second pipeline, Nord Stream 2, was completed in 2021 but never operated due to Germany's suspension of certification proceedings before the invasion.

Sweden was the first to notice the leaks near the Danish island of Bornholm. The ruptures released methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Investigations later discovered that the damage resulted from four explosions. Initially, Moscow was blamed, but investigators later pointed fingers at Ukrainian state security agencies due to Ukraine's close ties with Germany.

In March 2023, it was reported that a "pro-Ukrainian group" acting independently of the Ukrainian government was responsible. However, Ukraine denied any involvement. In 2024, an international arrest warrant was issued for a Ukrainian man named Serhii Kuznietsov for allegedly leading the operation. He was arrested in Italy in 2025 and extradited to Germany.

Serhii Kuznietsov is charged with causing explosions, damaging property, disrupting public services, and as an "accomplice to war crimes." The trial is ongoing in Hamburg, Germany, with the verdict still pending. The proceedings could impact the delicate balance between Europe and Ukraine, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.