Ukrainian Nord Stream Suspect Serhii Kuznetsov on Hunger Strike in Italian Prison

Ukrainian Suspect Protests Prison Conditions

Serhii Kuznetsov, a Ukrainian citizen accused of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, has initiated a hunger strike in an Italian high-security prison. His lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, confirmed that Kuznetsov began refusing food on October 31, protesting what he describes as inadequate detention conditions and a denial of fundamental rights.

Kuznetsov's demands include 'respect for his fundamental rights, including the right to adequate food, a healthy environment, dignified detention conditions, and equal treatment with other prisoners regarding family visits and access to information.' According to Canestrini, Kuznetsov has not received food 'appropriate to his state of health' since his arrest in August 2025. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has taken personal control of the case, stating that such circumstances are 'unacceptable and contradict the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.'

Extradition Battle to Germany Continues

Kuznetsov was arrested in August 2025 near Rimini, Italy, under a European arrest warrant issued by Germany. German prosecutors suspect him of coordinating the operation to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines. An Italian appeals court in Bologna last month upheld Germany's request for his extradition. However, Kuznetsov's defense team is preparing a final appeal before the Court of Cassation, Italy's top court, a process expected to take several weeks.

The lawyer for Kuznetsov has argued that the court used evidence against his client that the Italian Supreme Court had previously invalidated, raising questions about the legality of the extradition process. This development follows a separate case where a Polish court rejected Germany's extradition request for another Ukrainian man, Volodymyr Z., also accused in connection with the Nord Stream blasts, citing insufficient evidence and the context of the war in Ukraine.

Background of the Nord Stream Blasts Investigation

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, which transport natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, were damaged by a series of underwater explosions on September 26, 2022. These blasts caused significant leaks and were widely considered an act of sabotage. At the time of the incident, Nord Stream 1 was operational, while Nord Stream 2 had been completed but was not yet in service.

German authorities allege that Kuznetsov was part of a group that chartered a yacht from Rostock, Germany, using forged identity documents, to plant explosive devices near the Danish island of Bornholm. The investigation into the perpetrators has been complex, with both Ukraine and Russia denying any involvement. While Denmark and Sweden have closed their investigations, Germany's probe remains active.