Ukrainian ex-officer goes on trial in Germany over Nord Stream blasts

Key Points:

• A former Ukrainian military officer, identified as Serhii K., is on trial in Hamburg, Germany, accused of orchestrating the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines that disrupted Western Europe's Russian gas supply.
• Prosecutors allege Serhii K. led a group including divers and explosives experts to plant military-grade explosives on the pipelines near Denmark, using forged documents to enter Germany; he denies all charges.
• The trial, the first public hearing after years of investigation, highlights the geopolitical tensions around Europe's energy dependence on Russia and Germany's complex position supporting Ukraine while managing the case.
• The Nord Stream blasts in September 2022 caused major methane leaks and crippled key infrastructure supplying much of Germany's natural gas, with Russia denying involvement and Ukraine also rejecting responsibility.
• Another suspect, Vladimir Z., a trained diver linked to the operation, was arrested in Croatia and is set to be extradited to Germany, as Moscow awaits what it calls a "just verdict" on the perpetrators.