This was the first interview with Volodymyr Zhuravlov following the decision of the Warsaw District Court, which refused his extradition to Germany and lifted his temporary detention. The Ukrainian businessman, accused by the German authorities of involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosion, spoke about his feelings and the course of the proceedings. He appeared on Republic TV together with his defense attorney, attorney-at-law Tomasz Paprocki.
A case that echoed across Europe
The case of Volodymyr Zhuravlov, a Ukrainian citizen detained in Poland in the spring of 2024 at the request of the German prosecutor’s office, has for months drawn significant attention from the public throughout Europe. Germany demanded his extradition, accusing him of participating in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which took place in the autumn of 2022 on the floor of the Baltic Sea.
After a series of court hearings in Warsaw, on October 17, 2025, the District Court decided to refuse Zhuravlov’s extradition to Germany and lifted his temporary arrest.
The ruling carries not only legal but also political significance, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and disputes over responsibility for the destruction of the pipeline, one of the most mysterious episodes of the conflict. Zhuravlov, who conducts business activities in Poland, was visibly moved after his release from custody:
“I was very pleased and believed that the Polish court would be fair toward me and that the judgment would be in my favor,”
he said in an interview with Republic TV.
He admitted that he did not expect such a swift resolution and emphasized that the court’s decision gives hope not only to him but also to other Ukrainian citizens:
“I’m very happy that the Polish court recognized that Ukrainians can be protected by law in Poland and in the European Union. No Ukrainian defending his country should be prosecuted in other states,”
he stressed.
Zhuravlov’s defense attorney, Tomasz Paprocki, underscored the importance of the court’s decision to refuse his client’s extradition to Germany:
“This is a very important ruling. The court clearly indicated who the aggressor is and who is defending themselves. It sends a signal to Europe that Ukrainian citizens cannot be punished for actions directed against Russia, the aggressor state,”
said Paprocki.
He added that the court also noted the lack of German jurisdiction in a case concerning an act allegedly committed in international waters.
“The judge went further, pointing out that Germany has no right to prosecute citizens for incidents occurring outside its territory. This is a very important message, also in the context of international law,”
the attorney explained.
When asked about the German prosecutor’s accusations of his involvement in the Nord Stream 2 explosion, Zhuravlov firmly denied them:
“I didn’t commit any crime against Germany. It’s absurd. If they accuse me because I’m a diver, then every Ukrainian diver could be accused the same way,”
he said.
He emphasized that learning that Berlin was seeking him came as a huge shock:
“I was surprised; I didn’t know what it was about. It was strange and unfair to me,”
he added.
Attorney Paprocki noted that the judgment has precedent-setting value:
“The court ruled that in the context of a just war, if someone defends themselves and even causes harm to the aggressor, they cannot be held criminally liable for that. This is a very important interpretation of international law,”
he said.
When asked whether he had any idea why the German side had singled him out as a suspect, Zhuravlov replied:
“I don’t know why they are pursuing me. I did nothing wrong. If I knew what this was all about, I’d say it outright,”
he stated.
Zhuravlov admitted that during his time in custody, he felt strong support from his family, friends, and also from Poles:
“I thank everyone – Poles and Ukrainians – who supported me while I was in detention. It means a lot to me,”
he said.
Attorney Paprocki revealed that the court had received letters of surety from Poland, Ukraine, and even from the United States and Japan:
“This shows the great interest and solidarity with my client’s case. It was not just about one man; it became a symbolic issue for many,”
the lawyer added.
The District Court’s decision in Warsaw is not yet legally valid:
“The prosecutor’s office has until Monday to file an appeal, but I hope they won’t. If the decision stands, Mr. Zhuravlov will be able to live and work peacefully in Poland,”
said Paprocki.
The lawyer announced that the next step will be to seek the withdrawal of the European Arrest Warrant by the German authorities:
“This will now become a political and diplomatic matter. I hope that after the ruling, Germany will reconsider how to apply the law in the context of the ongoing war,”
he concluded.