Lawyer: Accused in Nord Stream Bombing was in Poland the Entire Time After Warrant Was Issued

A Ukrainian citizen accused of blowing up the Nord Stream underwater gas pipeline was arrested more than a year after the warrant was issued.

Germany issued an international arrest warrant back in June 2024, and he was arrested on September 30th, 2025, in Poland.

The interests of the accused are represented in court by lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki, who told Militarnyi about the details of the Ukrainian’s defense.

Background of the arrest

On September 26th, 2022, both Nord Stream gas pipelines were severely damaged by an explosion. Three of the four lines of the Russian gas pipeline to Germany were destroyed.

The German side accuses Vladimir Z. that in September 2022, acting in concert with others, participating in the installation of explosive devices on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, acting as a diver.

“This act was classified under the provisions of the German criminal code as hostile constitutional sabotage, intentionally causing an explosion of explosive material and destruction of a structure, and in the Polish legal system it would correspond, in particular, to Article 163 § 1, paragraph 1, Article 165 § 1, paragraph 3 and Article 254 of the Criminal Code,” said his lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki.

He denied the previous information that Volodymyr Z. left the territory of Poland during this period and the information about his departure to Ukraine is not confirmed by documents.

Volodymyr Z. was engaged in business activities in Poland in the field of installation and maintenance of ventilation and air conditioning systems.

“He was in Poland legally. He had a legalized temporary residence permit and a residence card. He arrived with his family in 2022, before the war in Ukraine started. He was engaged in his own business and lived in Pruszków near Warsaw,” says his lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki.

Arrest of Ukrainian Volodymyr Z. on charges of blowing up the Nord Stream pipeline

On September 30th, 2025, a Ukrainian citizen, Volodymyr Z., was arrested in Poland, suspected of involvement in the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

“The order was issued on June 5th, 2024, by the Federal Court in Karlsruhe and transferred to Poland. It is important to note that the European Arrest Warrant has been used in Poland until now for persons suspected of crimes such as murder, human trafficking, drugs and stolen cars. That is why this procedure is so simple and fast. However, it has never been applied to cases like this one before…”, – lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki told Militarnyi in his commentary.

The lawyer emphasizes that the warrant issued by the German side contains incorrect personal data, i.e. his name and surname are incorrectly written.

All this time, his client was aware of the existence of the warrant and did not leave his place of residence in Poland.

“I emphasize that Vladimir Z. was in Poland for most of this time, at his place of residence known to the investigating authorities. It is a fact that on the day of the search of his house, which took place a year ago, he was not at home. However, he was fully aware of these actions, but, despite this, he did not take any measures aimed at concealing them from the Polish authorities,” the lawyer said.

Where is the Ukrainian defendant now?

On October 1st, the District Court in Warsaw imposed a measure of restraint on Volodymyr Z. in the form of temporary arrest for a period of 7 days. He is currently in a pre-trial detention center in Warsaw, and today, on October 3rd, 2025, his defense will file an appeal against the decision to temporarily detain him for 7 days.

In this way, the defendant shows that he does not agree with the court’s decision, despite the fact that the Court of Appeal will not have time to consider the appeal by October 7th.

“However, this has a symbolic meaning in the context of his determination. If the prosecutor’s office files a motion to extend the temporary arrest, the defense will request non-isolation measures, including a property guarantee, so that my client can answer while at large,” commented Tymoteusz Paprocki.

It is likely that on Monday, October 6th, 2025, the court will schedule another hearing on the arrest.

Is extradition to Germany possible?

By October 7th, 2025, the court will decide whether the Ukrainian accused of blowing up the Nord Stream gas pipeline will be released or temporarily arrested.

“The District Court in Warsaw will consider the petition on the admissibility of my client’s extradition to the German side and will make a decision on this issue within 100 days,” lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki told Militarnyi.

What is the next step?

Currently, the defense’s priority is to ensure that the accused Ukrainian can answer in court in freedom. Tymoteusz Paprocki emphasizes that there are currently no circumstances that would justify the application of an isolation measure of restraint to his client.

“At this stage, I can only emphasize that the defense will consistently act in the interests of Vladimir Z., using all legal means provided for by Polish and international law,” lawyer Tymoteusz Paprocki told Militarnyi in a commentary.

It is worth recalling that on the day of his detention, the lawyer stated that his client had not admitted his guilt, and that the accusation was absurd.