Germany has taken a significant step in its investigation of the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage by issuing an arrest warrant for Volodymyr S., a Ukrainian national with military experience. The European Arrest Warrant (EAW) was issued after intelligence agencies identified him as a key figure in the operation that crippled a major Russian gas pipeline supplying Europe. The suspect, a former Ukrainian military diver, was reportedly living in Poland but has since fled, according to Polish authorities.

The Nord Stream pipelines, which were vital to Europe’s energy security, were sabotaged in September 2022. Initial accusations pointed toward Russia, but Western intelligence agencies later shifted their focus to Ukraine. Reports suggest that Ukrainian special forces rented a yacht in Germany and used it to transport explosives before diving down 260 feet to place charges on the pipeline. Traces of explosive residue found on the yacht confirmed the suspicions.

The Netherlands was the first country to warn its allies that Ukraine was involved in the attack. However, Dutch intelligence maintains that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was not directly involved, and instead blames Valery Zaluzhnyi, the former head of Ukraine’s armed forces. Poland’s foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, hinted that U.S. President Joe Biden was aware of the plan but allowed it to proceed.

This new development raises further questions about Western involvement and the complex dynamics behind the scenes. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on how such an operation was carried out and what this means for Ukraine’s relationship with its Western allies.