German prosecutors name Ukrainian diver as Nord Stream sabotage suspect
Authorities allege that Volodymyr Zhuravlev, a former Ukrainian navy diver, helped plan the 2022 Nord Stream explosions and was in contact with a Hollywood fixer.
German prosecutors have formally identified Volodymyr Zhuravlev, a Ukrainian‑trained scuba diver, as a suspect in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. The investigation, which has been ongoing for four years, says Zhuravlev played a coordinating role in the sabotage operation and communicated with a U.S.‑based fixer linked to the film industry.
According to the indictment, Zhuravlev, who previously served in the Ukrainian navy’s special‑operations unit, transitioned to private security work after leaving the armed forces. In that capacity he allegedly leveraged his diving expertise to assess the underwater infrastructure of the Nord Stream pipelines and to facilitate the placement of explosive devices. Prosecutors claim he travelled to Germany in late 2022 under a false identity, where he met a Hollywood fixer who helped arrange logistics and payments for the operation.
German authorities detained Zhuravlev in Berlin in early August after a coordinated raid involving federal police and intelligence services. He is being held in pre‑trial detention while the case proceeds. The suspect has not publicly commented on the allegations, and his legal team has declined to comment on his behalf.
The Nord Stream sabotage, which crippled two major gas pipelines linking Russia to Europe, sparked a wave of speculation about state and non‑state actors. While earlier investigations focused on Russian and Ukrainian intelligence services, the new indictment shifts part of the focus to private actors with specialized maritime skills. German investigators say the evidence includes communications records, financial transactions, and testimony from witnesses who observed Zhuravlev’s activities.
The case underscores the growing concern among European security agencies about the use of civilian contractors in covert operations. If convicted, Zhuravlev could face a lengthy prison term under German anti‑terrorism laws. The trial, expected to begin next year, will likely examine the broader network of individuals and firms that may have facilitated the attack on the pipelines.
The development adds another layer to the complex geopolitical fallout from the Nord Stream explosions, highlighting how private expertise and international connections can intersect with state‑level sabotage efforts.