Germany has issued its first international arrest warrant in connection with the Nord-Stream gas pipeline sabotage of September 2022.
The arrest warrant targets a Ukrainian currently residing in Poland, with two more Ukrainians under suspicion.
On 26 September 2022, four significant gas leaks followed by underwater explosions occurred within hours of each other on Nord Stream 1 and 2.
These pipelines connect Russia to Germany and transport the majority of Russian gas to Europe. They were a major investment and source of revenue for the Kremlin, who invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Several countries initiated investigations into what appeared to be an act of sabotage in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Sweden and Denmark ended their inquiries months ago due to insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges within their jurisdictions.
German and international media reported that the saboteurs likely used a yacht, the Andromeda, to approach the pipeline and plant explosives. The three suspects are believed to be the divers.
