Trial opens for Ukrainian officer over Nord Stream blasts

The trial of Serhii Kuznetsov, a former Ukrainian military officer accused of helping organize the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline blasts, opened Wednesday at the Hamburg Higher Regional Court. He is the only defendant currently on trial and denies involvement. German prosecutors allege Kuznetsov worked with other military personnel to plan the operation on behalf of unidentified Ukrainian state entities. They say the attack targeted civilian infrastructure and could constitute a war crime. The charges also include causing an explosion, damaging property and disrupting public services. These are allegations, and no finding of guilt has been made. Prosecutors say the operation aimed to permanently halt gas deliveries through the pipelines and prevent Russia from earning revenue from natural gas sales. Their account alleges that the group used a yacht to reach the seabed near Denmark’s Bornholm island and planted explosives on the pipelines. The trial marks the first public hearing of evidence gathered during the investigation. Kuznetsov’s lawyers deny that the evidence clearly links him to the blasts and have asked the court to dismiss the charges.