Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office Finds No Evidence of Ukraine’s Involvement in Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has not established the state’s involvement in the explosions on the Nord Stream-1 and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines.

This was reported by the press service of the agency.

It is reported that, as part of the criminal investigation into the Russian Federation’s waging of an aggressive war against Ukraine and the commission of a series of other unlawful acts against our state, the Prosecutor General’s Office has reviewed information regarding the sabotage of the Nord Stream-1 and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines.

As part of this proceeding, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are conducting the necessary investigative and other procedural actions, including interviewing witnesses and gathering information relevant to establishing the circumstances of the incident.

Based on the results of the work already carried out and the information obtained, no facts have yet been established that would indicate the involvement of the State of Ukraine, its authorized bodies, or officials in the commission of these unlawful acts, nor have any orders, instructions, directives, or guidance been issued on behalf of Ukraine regarding the sabotage of the aforementioned gas pipelines.

At the same time, the investigation into all the circumstances is not yet complete; the collection and analysis of evidence are ongoing.

The Office of the Prosecutor General also took note of the announcement by the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office regarding the filing of an indictment in the case concerning the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.

The office emphasized that the filing of an indictment is a procedural decision by the prosecution and does not imply a finding of guilt. The final decision in criminal proceedings is made by the court.

A person’s guilt in committing a crime is confirmed only by a final and binding court conviction, which is rendered following a comprehensive examination of all collected evidence and in compliance with the rights and procedural guarantees of all participants in the criminal proceedings.

The Ukrainian side continues to cooperate with the competent German authorities and, in response to their request, is carrying out the necessary investigative and procedural actions.

The German side will be informed of the results of these actions without delay. Ukraine is ready to assist in establishing all the factual circumstances of this case.

In addition, information regarding the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines has been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations.

As part of these criminal proceedings, a request will be sent to the competent German authorities to establish a joint investigative team for the prompt exchange of information.

Investigation into the sabotage of the pipelines

Earlier this year, it was reported that the German Federal Court holds Ukraine responsible for the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022.

The court has charged Ukrainian citizen Serhiy Kuznetsov, who is suspected of involvement in the sabotage.

He is charged with sabotage involving the use of explosives, which led to the destruction of infrastructure. At the same time, Kuznetsov denies any involvement in the crime.

The defense insists that the attack was part of the war between Ukraine and Russia, and that causing damage to infrastructure of vital importance to Moscow is permitted under international law.

The defense also argues that the gas pipelines were located in international waters and constituted a legitimate military target, since Russia was using them to finance the war against Ukraine.

At the same time, according to the court’s ruling, the gas pipelines were not legitimate military targets, as they were primarily used for civilian purposes, and their destruction threatened Germany’s sovereignty.

Investigations conducted by Sweden and Denmark concluded without any charges being filed.