Hamburg court holds first Nord Stream sabotage hearing; defendant contests charges
In short
A Hamburg court held its first hearing on October 14 in the case against Ukrainian citizen Sergei Kuznetsov (Сергей Кузнецов) over the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. His defence contests the allegations, and the next hearing is scheduled for October 27.
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The Higher Regional Court in Hamburg held the first hearing on October 14 in the case against Ukrainian citizen Sergei Kuznetsov (Сергей Кузнецов), accused of involvement in the September 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines. TASS reported that the hearing lasted more than two hours. The next session is scheduled for October 27. [ 3 , 6 , 15 , 17 ]
German federal prosecutors allege that Kuznetsov coordinated a group that carried out the sabotage on orders from Ukrainian state bodies. Interfax reported that the prosecution accused him and six others of using a rented yacht, Andromeda, to transport explosives to the area near the Danish island of Bornholm. The prosecution describes the actions as an attack on civilian infrastructure and involvement in a war crime. [ 2 , 3 , 18 ]
Kuznetsov denies guilt. Vedomosti reported, citing Tagesschau, that he declined to testify at the beginning of the hearing and that his defence challenged the charges, pointing to a lack of direct evidence of his involvement. Meduza reported that his lawyers said he had been in Ukraine at the time of the explosions. [ 3 , 17 , 18 ]
Kuznetsov was detained in Italy in August 2025 and extradited to Germany. The case concerns explosions that damaged three of the four Nord Stream pipeline strings in September 2022 near Bornholm. Interfax reported that Nord Stream 1 had been the main route for Russian gas supplies to Germany, while Nord Stream 2 had not entered operation. [ 3 , 12 ]
Meduza reported that hearings were planned through January 29, 2027, and that the court said the volume of material and the international nature of the case meant it could not be finished in a few sessions. The outlet cited international-law expert Clemens Fischer as warning that a court finding of official Ukrainian involvement could make continued unconditional German support for Ukraine difficult. [ 18 ]
Why it matters
Prosecutors allege the sabotage was carried out on orders from Ukrainian state bodies and describe the actions as a war crime. Meduza reported that an international-law expert warned a finding of official Ukrainian involvement could complicate German support for Kyiv.
Key facts
- The Higher Regional Court in Hamburg began hearing the case against Kuznetsov on October 14. [ 6 , 12 , 18 ]
- Prosecutors allege Kuznetsov coordinated a group involved in the 2022 pipeline explosions. [ 3 , 12 , 18 ]
- Kuznetsov denies guilt, and his lawyers dispute his involvement. [ 3 , 17 , 18 ]
- Vedomosti reported that he declined to testify at the start of the hearing. [ 17 ]
- The next hearing is scheduled for October 27. [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Kuznetsov's involvement and the alleged role of Ukrainian state bodies remain contested allegations. The prosecution alleges a coordinated operation; the defence denies his involvement and challenges the evidence.
- The duration of the trial is uncertain. Meduza reports that hearings are scheduled into January 2027, but that the court warned the case could not be resolved in only a few hearings.