In a recent development, German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian diver who is suspected of being involved in the 2022 Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion. The man, identified as Volodymyr Z., is believed to have been part of a team responsible for planting explosive devices on the pipelines, according to reports by German media. The arrest warrant was issued in June, with his last known address being in Poland.

Polish authorities confirmed on Wednesday that they had been notified of the arrest warrant by Berlin; however, they were unable to detain Volodymyr Z., as he had already left Polish territory by crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border at the beginning of July. Anna Adamiak, a spokeswoman for Poland's National Public Prosecutor's Office, revealed that Volodymyr Z. was not detained due to lack of knowledge and grounds for detention by Polish border guards. This was because German authorities had not included him in the international database of wanted persons.

Swedish authorities also covered the investigation into the sabotage incident, identifying Volodymyr Zhuravlyov as the man suspected of "anti-constitutional sabotage and causing an explosion." The Russian Telegram channel Shot claimed that Zhuravlyov had previously served in the Ukrainian army and had unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a Russian passport in 2009.

In addition to Volodymyr Z., German investigators are also looking into two other Ukrainians suspected of being divers involved in the attack. However, no arrest warrants have been issued for them yet.

The explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines occurred in September 2022 near the Danish island of Bornholm, causing four major gas leaks. Seismic institutes detected two underwater explosions shortly before the leaks were discovered. The pipelines were not operational at the time of the explosions but still contained gas, leading to leaks 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. The pipelines had been at the center of geopolitical tensions, with Russia suspected of cutting gas supplies to Europe as retaliation for Western sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine. The leaks occurred in international waters but were within Denmark's exclusive economic zone and Sweden's jurisdiction.

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