Nord Stream sabotage

Italy extradites suspected Nord Stream saboteur

An Italian court has ordered the extradition of a Ukrainian man suspected of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022 to Germany, Reuters reports.

The man was arrested in Rimini, Italy, in August and is suspected of having coordinated the explosion. He is also believed to have been on the sailboat Andromeda when the sabotage was carried out off Bornholm, according to Der Spiegel.

He denies the crime, according to his lawyer. He also plans to appeal the extradition decision, the news agency writes. 

Sabotage against Nord Stream

• German investigators have identified seven Ukrainians as suspects in the sabotage of Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the fall of 2022.
• A 49-year-old Ukrainian man was arrested in Italy in August 2025, suspected of being the leader of the group behind the explosions.
• The group is believed to have rented the sailboat Andromeda under false names in Germany and is suspected of using at least four timed explosive devices at a depth of 70–80 meters.
• The group consisted of four divers, a sailor and an explosives expert. One of them is believed to have died in the war in Ukraine.
• Suspicions of Ukrainian state involvement have been strengthened, but Kyiv has denied it and experts believe it may be an independent group.
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