A Ukrainian national suspected of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions has been arrested in Italy, German prosecutors announced on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Serhii K. under German privacy laws, was detained overnight in Misano Adriatico near the Italian city of Rimini. He is believed to have been one of the coordinators of the sabotage that severely damaged the pipelines built to transport Russian natural gas to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

The blasts, which occurred on September 26, 2022, ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline—Russia’s primary gas supply route to Germany until August 2022—and damaged Nord Stream 2, which had never gone into service. The incident intensified tensions amid the war in Ukraine and Europe’s efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy.

According to prosecutors, Serhii K. is suspected of causing explosions, committing anti-constitutional sabotage, and destroying critical infrastructure. He was arrested under a European arrest warrant issued earlier this week. Investigators believe the suspect and his accomplices used a yacht hired from a German company with forged identities and intermediaries to place the explosives. Two years ago, traces of undersea explosives were discovered on the yacht during the investigation.

Authorities have not disclosed details about other suspects or the possible motive behind the sabotage. German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig hailed the arrest as “a very impressive investigative success,” stressing the importance of clarifying the incident.

Swedish and Danish authorities closed their investigations in February 2024, leaving Germany as the only country continuing the probe. The explosions remain a geopolitical flashpoint, with Russia accusing the U.S. of orchestrating the sabotage—allegations strongly denied by Washington. In 2023, reports suggested a pro-Ukraine group’s involvement, though Kyiv dismissed the claims, and German officials urged caution.

It remains unclear when Serhii K. will be extradited to Germany.