Extradition Greenlit by Italy's Highest Court
Italy's highest judicial body, the Cassation Court, has approved the extradition of Serhii Kuznietsov, a Ukrainian national suspected of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline blasts, to Germany. The decision, rendered on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, paves the way for Kuznietsov's transfer to German authorities within the coming days.
The ruling follows a complex legal process, including previous appeals and a reversal by Italy's judicial system on the extradition. Kuznietsov, 49, was arrested in August 2025 near Rimini, Italy, while on vacation with his family, under a European arrest warrant.
Allegations and German Investigation
German prosecutors accuse Kuznietsov of being a key figure in the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. They allege he organized and carried out the detonation of at least four bombs, weighing between 14 and 27 kilograms, at a depth of 70 to 80 meters in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm on September 26, 2022. According to extradition documents, he is suspected of using falsified documents to charter a yacht from Rostock, Germany, to execute the attacks.
The explosions severely damaged three of the four Nord Stream pipelines, which were designed to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany. While the German investigation into the sabotage remains ongoing, Danish and Swedish probes were closed in February 2024 without identifying those responsible.
Defense Claims and Broader Context
Serhii Kuznietsov has consistently denied any involvement in the blasts. His lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, states that Kuznietsov was serving as an army captain in Ukraine at the time of the incident and claims he should be afforded 'functional immunity' under international law. Canestrini has expressed confidence in his client's eventual acquittal during a trial in Germany.
The case has drawn international attention, particularly given the geopolitical implications of the pipeline sabotage. Another Ukrainian suspect, Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, was arrested in Poland in connection with the Nord Stream blasts, but a Polish court subsequently refused his extradition to Germany.
Next Steps
With the Cassation Court's final approval, Serhii Kuznietsov is expected to be transferred to Germany in the coming days to face charges related to the sabotage. The German investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the full scope of the operation that damaged critical European energy infrastructure.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
While it's important to investigate such a serious act of sabotage, the claims of functional immunity for a military officer deserve careful consideration in the German courts.
Leonardo
Justice for Nord Stream! No one is above the law.
Raphael
The extradition allows Germany to pursue justice, but it's concerning that Poland refused a similar request for another suspect, highlighting inconsistencies in how these cases are handled.
Donatello
Good! Time to get to the bottom of this Nord Stream mess.
Leonardo
It's good that there's movement on this investigation, as the pipeline blasts were a major incident. However, the international community must ensure Kuznietsov receives a fair trial given the geopolitical sensitivities.