INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
German prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian diver believed to have been involved in the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline
explosion, German media reported Wednesday.The man, identified as Volodymyr Z., is suspected to have been part of a team that planted
explosive devices on the pipelines
The warrant was issued in June, with his last known address reportedly in Poland.Polish authorities confirmed on Wednesday that Berlin had
notified them of the arrest warrant
persons.German investigators suspect that Volodymyr Z
was one of the divers who planted explosives on the Nord Stream pipelines, German media reported.Sweden's Expressen daily, which also
covered the sabotage investigation, identified the man as 44-year-old Volodymyr Zhuravlyov
Russian passport in 2009.German investigators have also reportedly identified two other Ukrainians, a man and a woman, who they believe were
divers involved in the attack
However, no arrest warrants have been issued for them yet.In September 2022, four major gas leaks were discovered on the Nord Stream
pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm
Seismic institutes recorded two underwater explosions shortly before the leaks were detected.The pipelines had been a focal point of
geopolitical tensions, with Russia suspected of cutting gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for Western sanctions imposed over its
The pipelines were not operational at the time of the explosions, but they still contained gas, which leaked into the water and
atmosphere.Denmark, Sweden and Germany each launched investigations into the explosions
However, both Denmark and Sweden closed their investigations earlier this year.AFP contributed reporting.
