A Ukrainian man has been arrested in Italy in connection with the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, according to German prosecutors. The suspect, identified partially as Serhii K., was detained in Rimini early Thursday. He is accused of being part of a group that placed explosive devices on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which transport gas from Russia to Europe.

The Nord Stream pipelines were damaged in September 2022 by significant underwater explosions, which are believed to have been acts of sabotage. Since the incident, both Ukraine and Russia have denied any involvement. German media reports indicate that investigators are looking into a Ukrainian cell consisting of five men and one woman who allegedly chartered a yacht named "Andromeda" from Rostock to carry out the attack. The group's goal was reportedly to prevent Russia from profiting from gas sales to Europe amid ongoing conflict.

Prosecutors stated that Serhii K. and his accomplices used the yacht, which was rented with forged identity documents obtained through intermediaries, to execute the operation. This arrest marks the first linked to the Nord Stream case.

The investigation has also pointed to another Ukrainian man, identified only as "Volodymyr Z.,” who was the subject of a European arrest warrant. He was believed to be a diving instructor and one of the divers who planted explosives on the pipelines. Reports indicate that he left for Ukraine in July 2024 before he could be detained.

Additionally, two other Ukrainians, a married couple who run a diving school in Ukraine, have been identified as potential divers involved in the sabotage. The investigation into the Nord Stream incident continues as authorities seek to uncover more details about the attack.