Key facts
- Volodymyr Zhuravlev, a suspect in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, has been arrested in Pula, Croatia.
- Zhuravlev was reportedly working as a consultant on a film about the Nord Stream sabotage, directed by Doug Liman and starring Sean Penn and Adrien Brody.
- He had previously evaded arrest in Poland and Germany.
- A Polish court had previously blocked a European arrest warrant for Zhuravlev.
- Ukrainian authorities deny any involvement in the Nord Stream explosions.
Volodymyr Zhuravlev, a key suspect in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, was arrested in Pula, Croatia, earlier this week. In a remarkable turn of events, German media reported that Zhuravlev had been acting as a consultant on a Hollywood film, 'Snake Island,' which dramatizes the alleged sabotage. The film, directed by Doug Liman, stars Sean Penn and Adrien Brody and was being filmed in the region, with scenes shot in Zagreb and Pula.
Zhuravlev had previously evaded German authorities, including a notable escape from Poland in the boot of a diplomatic car in 2024. German federal prosecutors described him as an experienced scuba diver and part of a group linked to Ukrainian state entities. However, Zhuravlev and another suspect, Serhii K, have denied involvement in the undersea blasts. The Ukrainian government has also denied any connection to the sabotage.
Zhuravlev's lawyers are expected to fight his extradition to Germany, where he faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. The case also presents a legal challenge, as a Croatian court will consider a European arrest warrant for an individual previously cleared by a Polish court due to jurisdictional concerns. Polish authorities had previously blamed German administrative errors for Zhuravlev's earlier escape.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has been critical of the Nord Stream pipeline, stating its construction was the real problem. The film's production company has not yet commented on Zhuravlev's arrest or his alleged role as a consultant.