Russia Criticizes Germany Over Nord Stream Investigation Lapses

Russia has lodged a complaint to Germany regarding its investigation into the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, following the escape of a key suspect. German media reported the identification of a Ukrainian diving instructor as a suspect, but bureaucratic errors led to his evasion of arrest in Poland.

Russia has lodged a formal complaint to Germany about the handling of its investigation into the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, according to RIA news agency. This comes after a significant suspect managed to avoid arrest in Poland.

Last week, German media reported that the prosecutors had identified a Ukrainian diving instructor as a key suspect in the sabotage attack on the Nord Stream pipelines. An arrest warrant was issued in Poland, but the suspect evaded capture due to Germany’s failure to include his name in a database of wanted persons, Polish prosecutors informed Reuters.

RIA cited Oleg Tyapkin of the Russian foreign ministry, who expressed concerns that the German investigation might conclude without identifying those responsible. He emphasized Germany and other nations' obligations under UN anti-terrorist conventions and stated that official claims were made bilaterally, including to Berlin. The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, important gas conduits under the Baltic Sea, suffered from explosions in September 2022, seven months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.