German Prosecutors Cite SBU Claim in Nord Stream Case

A man charged in Germany over the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines allegedly told investigators that he was serving in the Ukrainian armed forces and working for the SBU intelligence service when the attack took place, according to an indictment reviewed by the German weekly Stern.

Prosecutors say Serhiy Kuznetsov made the claim during a phone call with his wife that was intercepted while he was being held in pretrial detention in Italy.

According to the indictment, Kuznetsov complained that Ukraine and its president had "left him to fend for himself". He also said he wanted to speak to "Roman," whom he identified as his commander.

Stern reported that this was likely a reference to Roman Chervinsky, a Ukrainian intelligence officer. After Kuznetsov's arrest, Chervinsky said in a written statement that Kuznetsov had served under his command during the sabotage operation.

The indictment says the evidence points to possible involvement by Ukrainian state authorities in the September 2022, explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

The indictment was filed several weeks ago but has not yet been accepted by the court. According to Stern, the case against Kuznetsov is based primarily on circumstantial evidence.

The case marks the first indictment brought by German prosecutors in connection with the Nord Stream sabotage.

Ukraine has consistently denied any state involvement in the attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected allegations that Kyiv was responsible.

(ntv, bak)