Italy Approves Extradition of Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Attack

Italy’s top appeals court has ruled that a Ukrainian man, Serhiy Kuznetsov, suspected of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, will be extradited to Germany. Kuznetsov, a former Ukrainian military officer, is set to face charges of anti-constitutional sabotage in Berlin. The court’s decision comes after prosecutors alleged that Kuznetsov coordinated and led a group that planted explosives on the pipelines connecting Russia and Germany beneath the Baltic Sea. However, no detailed evidence has been made public so far.

Kuznetsov was arrested in late August in northern Italy at a glamping site near Rimini, where he was staying with his wife and two children. Italian authorities discovered his identity through his passport, which automatically alerted local police upon hotel check-in. Kuznetsov’s lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, said that his client feels like a “scapegoat” and expressed disappointment that the Ukrainian government has not defended him or confirmed his military service at the time of the incident. Canestrini suggested that if Kuznetsov carried out the attack, it would have been under official military orders.

The case has caused tension between Ukraine and Germany. While Germany, as the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine in Europe, seeks to prosecute Kuznetsov, many Ukrainians view the destruction of the pipelines as an act of self-defense against Russia’s invasion. Supporters see Kuznetsov as a hero for damaging a key Russian revenue source, while the legal pursuit in Germany has left some feeling conflicted about the prosecution.

A second Ukrainian suspect, Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, an amateur deep-sea diver living in Poland, was detained in Warsaw under another German arrest warrant. However, Polish courts refused to extradite him, arguing that a Ukrainian could not be prosecuted for actions considered part of the nation’s self-defense against Russia.

The extradition of Kuznetsov from Italy is expected to take place under German police escort in the coming days. The lawyer has stated that the defense will now continue in Germany, aiming to achieve acquittal by arguing that the actions were conducted under military orders and as part of Ukraine’s defense efforts. Outside the Rome courthouse, some Ukrainians expressed support for Kuznetsov, holding Ukrainian flags and posters stating, “Serhiy Kuznetsov is a defender, not a criminal.”

The case remains highly sensitive, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics between Ukraine, Germany, and Russia, as well as differing international views on actions taken during wartime. The upcoming proceedings in Germany are likely to draw significant attention, both legally and politically, as they examine responsibility for one of the most high-profile sabotage acts in recent European history.