Russia’s Nord Stream pipeline was blown up four years ago. Now, lawyer says it may not have been a crime

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Russia’s biggest gas pipeline to Europe was blown up four years ago, in what has since been described as one of the “biggest sabotage operations of modern times”.

However, following a years-long operation, a lawyer has now argued that it may not have been a crime.

Ukrainian ex-military officer Serhi Kuznetsov stands accused of leading a group of Ukrainian agents, including divers and an explosive expert, that bombed the Nord Stream Pipeline – which provided half of Germany’s imports of natural gas before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – in 2022.

The explosion of Nord Stream sealed the end of Germany’s longstanding dependence on Russian natural gas, although Moscow had already cut supplies over Berlin’s support for European sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Nord Stream’s supply had been due to double with the opening of a twin pipeline, Nord Stream 2, already built, but Berlin cancelled approval to open it just prior to Russia’s invasion.

A trial into the bombing started on Wednesday, with Kuznetsov’s lawyer Nicola Canestrini moving to have the case dismissed.

Ms Canestrini argued that the pipeline was a “Russian weapon” and therefore potentially a “legitimate target”.

“Is it unlawful to destroy an aggressor’s infrastructure without harming any human beings?” she asked.

Prosecutors have alleged that Kuznetsov, who was arrested under an international warrant in Italy in 2025, worked with members of the Ukrainian military to plan the clandestine operation on behalf of unidentified Ukrainian state entities.

The 50-year-old, who was referred to publicly only as Serhi K. prior to the hearing, has denied any involvement in “the blasts that ruptured the 750-mile long Baltic Sea Pipeline”.

Showing up to court wearing a grey suit, Kuznetsov exercised his right to remain silent but did not cover his face. His lawyers said he could not mount a proper defence because he was obliged to hold Ukrainian state secrets.

“He has to mount a defence with his hands tied,” argued Ms Canestrini.

The government in Kyiv has also denied any involvement – a sensitive point in its relations with Germany, which is the country’s largest European supplier of military aid.

On Monday, Russia said it expected a “just verdict” that would reveal the names of the perpetrators as well as those who ordered the operation.

German prosecutors say the alleged crime, attacking civilian targets and causing explosions that destroyed infrastructure and damaged public services, would amount to a war crime.

Protestors were spotted outside the Hamburg court, holding signs that read “What are war crimes?”

One protestor said: “Russia is the only war criminal that belongs in the dock.”

While Kutznetsov is the only person on trial, Croatian authorities have arrested another man, identified only as Vladimir Z., who prosecutors believe was one of the divers.

In the initial months after the Nord Stream attacks, Western officials mainly pointed fingers at Russia. Moscow has always denied any involvement and called the suggestion it would blow up its own pipelines absurd.

The trial is expected to continue into February 2027.

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in