Ukrainian Scuba Diver Arrested in Croatia in Nord Stream Explosion Investigation
A Ukrainian national described by German prosecutors as a trained scuba diver has been arrested in Croatia in connection with the investigation into the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
German federal prosecutors said the suspect, identified under German privacy rules as Vladimir Z., was detained by Croatian police in the city of Pula on Wednesday, 19 August, under a European arrest warrant. Prosecutors are seeking his extradition to Germany.
The arrest is the second involving a suspect in Germany’s investigation into the explosions that damaged Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 in September 2022.
Prosecutors Allege Diver Helped Place Explosives
According to German prosecutors, Vladimir Z. is a trained scuba diver who is suspected of belonging to the group that placed explosive devices on the Nord Stream pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm.
Prosecutors said he is strongly suspected of jointly causing explosions. German authorities also allege that the group involved in the operation targeted both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court, and Reuters reported that it was unable to immediately reach Vladimir Z. or a legal representative for comment.
Reports reviewed by Diventures Magazine have not provided confirmed technical details about the alleged underwater operation, including the diving equipment, breathing gases, dive profiles or procedures that may have been used.
Previous Arrest in Poland
Vladimir Z. had reportedly been detained in Poland in September 2025 in connection with the same investigation.
Germany sought his extradition at the time, but a Polish court rejected the request and he was released. His arrest in Croatia followed a European arrest warrant issued by German authorities.
The Croatian justice ministry told Reuters that a court in Pula would be responsible for deciding the extradition matter under European Union procedures.
Second Suspect in German Investigation
Another Ukrainian national, identified as Serhii K., was arrested in Italy in August 2025 and transferred to Germany in November.
German prosecutors charged him in July 2026, alleging that he helped organize the operation that damaged the pipelines. He has denied involvement.
German prosecutors allege that Vladimir Z. belonged to the same group.
Ukrainian authorities have previously denied state involvement in the Nord Stream explosions. Reuters reported that authorities in Kyiv have said they do not have sufficient information to respond in detail to the latest German allegations.
The 2022 Nord Stream Explosions
Explosions on 26 September 2022 damaged the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines beneath the Baltic Sea.
The pipelines were built to transport Russian natural gas to Germany. Nord Stream 2 had not entered commercial service when the explosions occurred.
The incident occurred months after Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine and during a major confrontation between Moscow and European countries over energy supplies.
The explosions were widely treated as deliberate sabotage, but the question of who ordered and carried out the operation has remained the subject of investigations and competing claims.
Germany has continued its criminal investigation after Denmark and Sweden ended their respective investigations. German prosecutors now allege that a group involving Ukrainian nationals carried out the operation, while Ukraine has denied involvement.
The arrest of a suspect specifically described as a trained scuba diver adds a significant new development to the investigation into one of the most closely watched cases involving underwater critical infrastructure in recent years.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the suspects have not resulted in final court findings.
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