Ukrainian group linked to Nord Stream attack before Crimea annexation
The attack on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea was planned by a "Ukrainian group" even before Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. This information comes from the "Welt am Sonntag" newspaper, citing sources from the German investigation and international inquiries.
1:03 PM EDT, July 7, 2024
Let us remind you that the explosions of Nord Stream 1 and the unfinished Nord Stream 2 occurred on September 26, 2022, in the Baltic. Denmark and Sweden, which conducted initial investigations, have discontinued their proceedings. However, German law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation.
According to "Welt am Sonntag," the center of the German investigation is a sailboat named "Andromeda," which was chartered in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at the time of the attack. The investigation has revealed new evidence confirming the suspicion that the yacht's crew was involved in the attack.
"Welt am Sonntag" does not provide details on the planning of the attack on the pipelines. At the same time, according to Gerhard Schindler, who headed German intelligence from 2011 to 2016, the investigation results indicating the involvement of a Ukrainian group do not necessarily mean that Ukraine ordered the attack.
In his opinion, the Russian side was capable of carrying out a "false flag" operation, and the traces left by the yacht's crew may have been left intentionally.
Poland involved in the attack on Nord Stream?
A week before the explosions, the yacht was in Kołobrzeg. It has been stated that the Polish side has not yet provided the German investigators with video recordings made during the yacht inspection. The newspaper suggests that the presence of American and Polish agents in the footage could be a possible reason.
"Welt am Sonntag" mentions that in 2014 Nord Stream 1 had been in operation for over two years, and work was underway on the plan to build Nord Stream 2.
In November 2023, "The Washington Post", citing Ukrainian and European officials, wrote that the sabotage was coordinated by a 48-year-old Ukrainian Colonel, Roman Cherwinski. He is in pre-trial detention in Kyiv on charges of abuse of power and denies his involvement in the explosions.
