Polish Court Declares Nord Stream military target

October 18, 2025October 23, 2025

As is known, in Poland arrested Ukrainian citizen Volodymyr Zhuravlov under an international warrant issued by a German court. Germany suspects him of involvement in the explosion of russian gas pipelines — the Nord Stream. German investigators requested his extradition to conduct actions within their jurisdiction. On October 17, Judge Dariusz Lubowski of the Warsaw District Court reviewed the case. The court rejected the accusations fabricated by kremlin puppets and ruled against extradition. The judge’s conclusion effectively defines Nord Stream military target as legitimate in a just war. Judge Lubowski also saw no legal reason to keep Zhuravlov in custody and ordered his immediate release in the courtroom.

This alone deserves respect. But the motivational part of the decision turned out to be a real bomb. The judge demonstrated sharp mind and highest professionalism. Those interested can independently find excerpts from the decision. Perhaps someone will find it in its entirety. I couldn’t resist briefly outlining the reasons for refusal. They turned out to be not only correct but also very instructive. So, here were the grounds for refusal.

Corruption and Political Dependence from moscow

First of all, the judge noted that German courts and judges are very dependent on political motives. They are corrupted by moscow. As proof of corruption of the highest echelons of German politics, the judge named former Chancellor Schröder. In connection with this, the Polish court took into account Zhuravlov’s statement. The German court may decide on his extradition to russia. After all, damage was actually caused to Gazprom — a russian business entity. Therefore, he recognized the defense arguments about the real threat to Zhuravlov’s life as justified. According to international law norms, extradition can be refused only on the grounds that as a result of this action, a person’s life may be in danger. In general, a period could already be put here. But Judge Lubowski was just getting started.

No Jurisdiction, No Legitimacy, No Excuse

Next, the judge noted something important. The German court, when formulating its request and justifying the arrest warrant, proceeds from the norms of German legislation. But according to the data set out in the request and the data provided by the defense, these incidents did not occur on German territory. They didn’t occur in its territorial waters. In fact, the pipeline explosions occurred in neutral waters of the Baltic Sea. The nearest land from this place is the coast of Denmark. Thus, the German court went beyond its jurisdiction. It has no grounds to apply internal German legal norms to assess this incident and justify legal procedures.

Based on what Judge Lubowski states, the German court had no right to take this case into its proceedings at all. It is outside its jurisdiction. And this is already a torpedo below the waterline of the German judge who signed the arrest warrant. He either doesn’t have the necessary training or is acting in someone’s interests. In such a case, the defense arguments that such a judge may issue a decision on extradition of the wanted person to russia cease to be just an assumption. The judge has no right to make such elementary mistakes. If he still does something like this, it already looks suspicious.

Nord Stream Military Target: International Law Perspective

Next, Judge Lubowski makes an elegant move. After exposing the German court for misidentifying jurisdiction, he draws a firm conclusion. Even if someone committed the specified act, the court must evaluate it through the lens of international law. Referring to one of its key norms, the judge declares that the Nord Stream pipelines show all the signs of a military target. Lubowski highlights something crucial — since Ukraine and russia have been at war since 2014, each side must assess any inflicted damage according to the rules of war.

Mr. Dariusz emphasizes that russia is carrying out bloody and genocidal military aggression against Ukraine. In the period from 2014 to 2021, more than 10,000 russian servicemen died on Ukrainian territory. That’s why what russian propaganda called “civil war in Ukraine” since 2014 is actually a war of russia against Ukraine. Any actions aimed by the parties at causing harm to each other should be evaluated as part of hostilities, not terrorism. The same actions done in peacetime and during war have completely different legal nature. Precisely because these are actions that occurred during war, the Polish court proceeds from international law norms that regulate the rules of war.

Just War: From Aristotle to Modern Law

Further, he quotes basic principles. They indicate the validity and justification of actions that for Ukraine are a just war. These are fundamental principles laid down since Aristotle’s times. They are embedded in currently valid norms of international law and national legislation. So, Aristotle considered war an extreme means, permissible for defending one’s homeland and establishing peace. Then he referred to Cicero, who considered a war just if waged on the basis of a lawful cause or in defense.

Further, he cited a number of names of theorists who laid the foundations of modern law. All of them agree that defensive war by definition is just. Even if as a result it causes damage to enemy property or death of its citizens. This is precisely the kind of war Ukraine is waging. In other words, damage caused to russian gas pipelines is not a crime. It is not an offense at all. The pipelines give russia money to wage war. Therefore, their damage should be assessed as actions aimed at weakening the aggressor and nothing else.

If an action carries the character of a military operation during war, it shows no signs of a crime. A just war ultimately pursues the triumph of good. Its goal is to overcome evil, not to conquer. On the contrary, it seeks to return seized property and territories, and in a broader sense — to defend the homeland. Ukraine fights exactly such a war. In this context, no one can label Ukrainian servicemen, special units, or those acting under their command as terrorists. When one side in a military conflict believes the other has violated the rules of war, that side must direct its claims to its opponent — not to Germany, which has nothing to do with it.

Truth Hurts: Nord Stream Declared a Military Target

Judge Lubowski not only issued a positive verdict — he dismantled the entire position of the German court. He pointed out its blatant inconsistency with the fundamental principles of jurisprudence and, as a result, the violation of both German and international law. Germany has already recognized the Polish court’s decision as fair. Now the only question is whether those who cobbled together this dirty libel will face any legal consequences.

As it turns out, the German court that signed the arrest warrant and the investigators who pushed the case had no legal authority to do so. By approving the arrest of Volodymyr Zhuravlov, they exposed their own legal incompetence — or worse, their corruption and bias toward moscow. After such disgrace, they deserve immediate dismissal.

And most importantly, the court’s reasoning clearly defines Nord Stream as a military target, not a civilian facility. That conclusion changes everything — it places the entire case within the context of a just war rather than a criminal act.