Trial Begins in Germany for Sergei Kuznetsov, Suspected of Blowing Up the Nord Stream Pipelines

Trial Begins in Germany for Sergei Kuznetsov, Suspected of Blowing Up the Nord Stream Pipelines

The hearings, which began in Hamburg, are expected to last many months, while reaching a verdict could take “years.”

Prosecutors believe that because Kuznetsov was a serviceman at the time of the bombing and acted with the knowledge of the Ukrainian authorities, his actions should be classified as a war crime.

Kuznetsov’s defense, in turn, insists that he had nothing to do with the incident. His lawyers say he was in Ukraine at the time of the explosion.

The trial and the court’s ultimate decision will have major international significance. If the court establishes that official Kyiv was involved in the sabotage, it will be very difficult for Germany to continue supporting Ukraine unconditionally, experts say.

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Trial Begins in Germany for Sergei Kuznetsov, Suspected of Blowing Up the Nord Stream Pipelines

The trial of Ukrainian national Sergei Kuznetsov, whom investigators consider a participant in the September 2022 bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, began in Hamburg on October 14.