It’s published
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According to the latest findings, Ukrainian Serhii K., arrested in Italy, is said to have led the overall operation of the explosive attacks on the Nodstream Pipeline and the sabotage team. This is according to an arrest warrant presented to the research team of German public broadcaster ARD, Daily Süddeutsche Zeitung and Weekly Die Zeit.
As reported by Italian media, the suspected attacker’s lawyer denys the allegations. A Ukrainian citizen was arrested in Italy’s Rimini province on Wednesday evening. He was on holiday at his home with his wife and two children. The 49-year-old is suspected of obstructing the constitution. An international arrest warrant had been issued for him.
I’ll go all the way to Ukraine
On September 26, 2022, the unknown bombed three of the four node stream pipelines at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The pipeline was intended to supply Russian gas to Germany. When the war in Ukraine began, the project was stopped.
The suspected Ukrainian, along with five other men and one woman, allegedly obtained the false passport. They sailed to a boat pipeline called “Andromeda” that they had previously hired. There, divers planted at least four bombs at depths of up to 70-80 meters and mounted them in the Node Stream 1 and Node Stream 2 pipeline, according to arrest warrants. They were later picked up by the driver and reportedly taken to Ukraine.
Will the relationship between Germany and Ukraine be tested?
Officials on the investigation team assume that the suspects are several civilians and are also formerly active military personnel, making the case particularly sensitive. German investigators followed a man named volodymyr S last year. He was staying in Poland. However, Volodymyr S. was able to avoid an arrest. According to media reports, he fled in a Ukrainian diplomatic vehicle before Polish police could arrest him.
The head of the obstruction team also found out that there was a link to Ukraine’s Secret Service. According to information from the weekly news magazine Zindel Spieger, he allegedly worked for Ukraine’s Secret Service SBU 10 years ago. As Die Zeit reports, he is still active in the Security Services Reserve Association.
Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the Ukrainian government was involved. This is a sensitive question that can test the relationship between Germany and Ukraine. Until now, Germany has been considered one of Ukraine’s most powerful supporters in the war with Russia. However, Ukrainian President Voldimia Zelenki has so far denied any involvement in the Ukrainian Nordstream incident.
Italian authorities say Serhii K. is to remain in Italian detention until at least the beginning of September. He could then be handed over to Germany. According to Italian media reports cited his lawyer, Ukrainian citizens intend to protect themselves from a move to Germany. A hearing on possible extradition is expected to take place mid-near week. If convicted, Serhii K. faces up to 15 years in prison.