German authorities charge Ukrainian national over destruction of Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline

German prosecutors have filed charges against a Ukrainian national in connection with the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline. 

The pipeline was owned by Russian natural gas company Gazprom. Several explosions were recorded in September 2022, which ruptured three of the four pipelines in Nord Stream 2 running under the Baltic Sea. 

The suspect, named only as Serhii K under German privacy laws, was arrested in Italy last summer and extradited to Germany in November, the BBC reported. Prosecutors allege the man led and coordinated the attack on the pipeline, which transported Russian natural gas to Germany. 

The man has denied involvement in the sabotage, and no one has ever claimed responsibility.