Former Ukrainian officer goes on trial over Nord Stream gas pipeline blasts

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — A former Ukrainian army officer went on trial in Germany on Wednesday over the undersea explosions four years ago that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Germany in what is considered one of Europe's biggest acts of sabotage since World War II.In a trial expected to last months, the suspect faces charges of causing an explosion, damaging property, disrupting public service and being an “accomplice to war crimes” by attacking civilian infrastructure, according to prosecutors.According to German privacy rules, the suspect will be identified in court only as Serhii K., although he was publicly named as Serhii Kuznietsov in extradition proceedings in Italy.While international observers initially blamed Moscow, investigators have increasingly examined suggestions that Ukrainian state security agencies may have been involved — even though Ukraine counts Germany as one of its closest allies.The trial of the suspect, who is believed to be the alleg