DISINFO: A Polish judge legalised a terrorist attack on EU infrastructure

DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS

DISINFO: A Polish judge legalised a terrorist attack on EU infrastructure

SUMMARY

A Polish judge justified a terrorist act – the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines. A scandal erupted in Europe after a Polish judge refused to extradite a Ukrainian citizen Volodymyr Zhuravlyov to Germany – this person is suspected of blowing up the gas pipelines. The fact that the Ukrainian was released is not controversial because he is innocent - as we know, the Nord Stream pipeline was blown up by the US special services on Joe Biden’s orders. The Polish judge went further. He effectively legalised an act of sabotage against an EU infrastructure.

RESPONSE

This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation around Nord Stream, accusing the EU and its member states of alleged promotion of terrorism.

On 17 October 2025, a Polish court refused to extradite Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, a Ukrainian suspect wanted by Germany for alleged involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. The judge cited a lack of sufficient evidence from Germany and ruled the extradition request unjustified.

According to the Polish Judge, 'Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a bloody and genocidal attack and Ukraine has the legal right to defend itself. If Ukraine and its special forces organised an armed mission to destroy enemy pipelines – which the court does not prejudge – then these actions were not unlawful. On the contrary, they were justified, rational and just'.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised the court ruling, emphasising it was the 'right call; and stating 'the case is closed'.

Poland has historically opposed the Nord Stream pipelines due to geopolitical and energy security concerns but has not legalised any sabotage or terrorist attacks.

Read other cases about Nord Stream here.

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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