Germany has scheduled a Nord Stream sabotage trial involving Ukrainian national Serhii K.
Why it matters: The case will test allegations about who organized the 2022 attack on Europe’s gas infrastructure. It also has implications for European security, energy policy and Germany’s relationship with Ukraine.
- The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg is scheduled to open proceedings on October 14, 2025.
- German prosecutors allege Serhii K., a Ukrainian national and former military officer, helped organize the September 26, 2022 sabotage.
- Investigators allege explosives damaged or destroyed three of the four Nord Stream pipeline strings near Bornholm, Denmark.
- The court has scheduled 16 hearings through December 17, 2025, and may add dates in January and February 2026.
The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg is scheduled to open the trial on October 14, 2025. The court admitted the indictment on September 2, 2025, and found sufficient suspicion that Serhii K. jointly committed a war crime involving prohibited methods of warfare against civilian objects, along with offenses involving explosives, property damage and disruption of public services. The court's preliminary finding means prosecutors have met the threshold for a trial, not that K. has been convicted. The court's September 2 release, titled "Anklage wegen der Sprengung der Nord-Stream-Gaspipelines," describes the proceedings.
In plain terms, the war-crime allegation concerns the suspected use of explosives against infrastructure treated by prosecutors as civilian objects. Whether the pipelines qualified as civilian objects, and whether any exception could apply, are disputed legal questions.
German prosecutors allege that K. helped organize an operation using the sailing yacht Andromeda and a team that included an alleged commander, a military engineer, a skipper and four civilian divers. Investigators cited in Tagesschau's NDR/WDR report allege the operation was carried out on behalf of, and directed by, Ukrainian state authorities. That is an allegation by investigators against the suspects, not a judicial finding establishing responsibility by the Ukrainian state.
Prosecutors say the objective was to permanently stop gas deliveries and prevent Russia from using gas revenues to finance its military operations. Nord Stream 1 had been a major route for Russian gas to Germany until Moscow halted supplies in August 2022. Nord Stream 2 was completed but never entered commercial operation.
Defense lawyer Jens Meyer-Lohkamp, who represents K., said there was "no immediately conclusive evidence that our client participated." He also argued that the court should consider whether the pipelines were civilian objects and whether action against them could have been justified given Russia's war against Ukraine. Tagesschau's courtroom report attributed those defense arguments to the opening proceedings.
Ukraine has denied involvement. Russia has accused the United States, Britain and NATO, allegations Washington has denied. A second Ukrainian suspect, Vladimir Z., was arrested in Croatia and is contesting extradition. No verdict date has been announced.
By the numbers
- 3 of 4 pipeline strings - Investigators allege explosives damaged or destroyed three Nord Stream strings.
- 16 hearings - The Hamburg court's announced schedule runs through December 17, 2025.
- September 26, 2022 - The date of the Nord Stream explosions.
Yes, but: The indictment and the court's suspicion finding are preliminary. The trial must still establish whether K. participated, whether the pipelines were legally civilian objects and whether any state authority directed the operation.
What's next: The trial is scheduled to open on October 14, 2025, with hearings set through December 17. The court has said it may add dates in January and February 2026.