On October 17, 2025, the District Court of Warsaw made a landmark decision, refusing to extradite Ukrainian citizen Volodymyr Zhuravlov to Germany in the case regarding the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines. This ruling has attracted major attention and could trigger a diplomatic crisis within the European Union.
Zhuravlov, a diving instructor, was arrested under a European arrest warrant issued by Germany, where he was suspected of involvement in the 2022 explosions near Denmark's Bornholm Island. Judge Dariusz Lubowski stated that the evidence provided by Germany was insufficient and presented in overly general terms.
In addition, the court relied on the principle of just war. The judge stressed that actions taken in defense of Ukraine from armed aggression could not be regarded as criminal or terrorist acts. He explained that the destruction of adversary pipelines was a military measure to weaken the aggressor and did not violate the rules of just war.
The verdict elicited mixed political responses. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the decision justified, emphasizing that the true issue was not the pipeline sabotage but their creation. Germany's reaction was more restrained, though concerns about strained relations with Ukraine were voiced.
This case set a precedent: the Polish court effectively recognized that wartime activities against enemy infrastructure are not crimes if conducted as acts of war. This may influence future court decisions within the EU.
A related extradition case of Ukrainian Serhiy Kuznetsov is currently being considered by an Italian court. Italy and Poland have pursued independent approaches, significantly impacting European unity in matters of cross-border jurisdiction and terrorism.
The Polish court's decision intensifies legal debates on the treatment of wartime actions and national interests in the modern era.
