Croatian authorities arrested a Ukrainian man identified as Vladimir Z, likely Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, in Pula on August 19, 2026, on suspicion of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in September 2022 [1, 2, 3]. German prosecutors allege that Vladimir Z, a trained scuba diver, took part in underwater operations to plant explosives on the pipelines near the Danish Baltic Sea island of Bornholm [1, 2, 3].

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline was operational at the time of the sabotage, while Nord Stream 2 had not yet started service. The sabotage damaged three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, halting direct Russian gas supplies to Germany via Baltic Sea routes [2, 3].

Vladimir Z was previously arrested in Poland in 2025 but released after a Polish court refused Germany’s extradition request. The court cited a view that the pipeline sabotage could be considered a justified defensive action by Ukraine, challenging Germany’s jurisdiction over the case [1, 2]. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented, "the problem with Nord Stream 2 is not that it was blown up; the problem is that it was built" [2].

Reports indicate the suspect evaded arrest in Poland in 2024 by fleeing to Ukraine, aided by alleged administrative errors and possible assistance from a Ukrainian military attache in Warsaw, though these details remain unconfirmed [2].

Another key suspect, former Ukrainian military officer Serhiy Kuznetsov, was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and extradited to Germany. Prosecutors say he led a seven-person sabotage team that rented a yacht, the Andromeda, in Rostock, Germany, which was used as the operational base for planting explosives on Nord Stream 1 and 2 [1, 3]. Kuznetsov’s trial is scheduled to begin in fall 2026 in Hamburg [3].

The Ukrainian government has consistently denied any involvement in the sabotage [1, 3]. Some media reports claim the operation was overseen by then-Ukrainian army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi without President Zelenskyy’s knowledge [3].

Croatia’s arrest of Vladimir Z follows growing efforts by German authorities to prosecute those responsible. Extradition proceedings are underway, with the suspect currently detained in Pula pending transfer to Germany [1, 2, 3].