Ukrainian ex-officer Kuznetsov on trial in Hamburg over 2022 Nord Stream sabotage
The FRANCE 24 segment covered the opening of the trial in Hamburg of Serhii Kuznetsov (referred to as Sergi Kaznets in the report), a former Ukrainian special forces officer accused of leading a team that used a rented yacht and divers to plant explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022. Prosecutors charge him with war crimes for attacking civilian objects on behalf of Ukrainian state agencies, plus causing explosions, property damage, and disrupting public services. Kuznetsov denies involvement; his lawyers moved to dismiss the case, arguing the pipelines financed Russia's war and were thus legitimate targets, and that his military secrecy obligations prevent a fair defence. Hearings are set through February 2027; Kyiv denies state involvement. The report used footage of the blurred suspect and highlighted diplomatic tensions with Germany as Ukraine's top military supporter.
Source: FRANCE 24 English
