Ukrainian ex-army officer's lawyers seek dismissal as Nord Stream pipeline blast trial opens

Defense lawyers for a former Ukrainian army officer charged with damaging the Nord Stream gas pipelines in blasts four years ago have called for the dismissal of charges in the first day of his trial

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The defendant, Serhii Kuznietsov, left, stands near his attorneys during a trial at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court, in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (Markus Scholz/dpa via AP)

By Associated Press

Updated 1 hour ago

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Defense lawyers for a former Ukrainian army officer charged with damaging the Nord Stream gas pipelines in blasts four years ago have called for the dismissal of charges in the first day of his trial.

The trial that opened Wednesday in Hamburg centers on explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Germany in what is considered one of Europe’s biggest acts of sabotage since World War II.

Serhii Kuznietsov, 50, faces charges of causing an explosion, damaging property, disrupting public service and being an “accomplice to war crimes” by attacking civilian infrastructure.

His lawyers argued that he was still an active duty solider an as such was obligated by Ukrainian law not to speak about anything during his service for reasons of secrecy linked to national security.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back for updates. AP’s earlier story follows below.