Explosions in the Baltic Sea: Reports: Arrest warrant obtained after Nord Stream attacks

According to media reports, there is now an arrest warrant in the case of the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea almost two years ago. The Federal Prosecutor General obtained this from the Federal Court of Justice, reported “Die Zeit”, ARD and the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. Accordingly, suspicion falls on a Ukrainian, whose last place of residence was said to be in Poland. According to the reports, he has since gone into hiding. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office was initially unavailable for comment.

The two gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 were damaged and interrupted by several explosions on September 26, 2022. The explosions were registered near the Danish Baltic Sea island of Bornholm and shortly afterwards four leaks were discovered on three of the four lines of the Nord Stream pipelines. Russian natural gas had previously flowed to Germany through Nord Stream 1. Nord Stream 2 was not yet in operation due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the political disputes that followed. The authorities in several countries began investigations into the case. However, Denmark and Sweden have since discontinued the proceedings. There has long been a lot of speculation about the perpetrators.

Other suspects

According to research by the three media outlets, two other Ukrainian nationals are also suspected of the crime – including a woman. According to the report, they were involved in the attacks. They may have attached the explosives to the pipelines as divers, it was further stated. The information now published is therefore also based on “tips from a foreign intelligence service”.

Previous investigations had focused on a sailing yacht on which traces of explosives were discovered in July 2023. It was suspected that the “Andromeda” may have been used to transport the explosives for the sabotage.