Ukraine has vehemently denied any involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines which transported Russian gas to Europe. Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak dismissed the claims as “absolute nonsense” and stated that there was no practical sense in such actions for Ukraine. The explosions of the Nord Stream pipelines did not have the desired effect of stopping the war, deterring Russian aggression, or affecting the situation on the front line. In fact, Podolyak suggested that the blasts only served to strengthen Russia’s propaganda capabilities, indicating that Russia may have had “direct motives” for carrying out the sabotage.
The Nord Stream pipelines, which ran from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, came under scrutiny during Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Several large gas leaks were discovered emitting from the pipelines in September 2022, with seismic institutes recording underwater explosions just before. Even though the pipelines were not operational at the time of the leaks, they contained gas that spewed into the atmosphere. German media outlets reported that investigators probing the sabotage were now focusing on Ukraine and had issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man.
According to reports, the idea of blowing up the pipelines emerged during a meeting of Ukrainian military officers and businessmen in May 2022, shortly after the invasion. Six people were involved in carrying out the operation, which cost around $300,000 and was privately financed. Using a rented yacht, the team sailed out to the area of the pipelines and laid explosives on them. Ukrainian President Zelensky initially approved the operation, but when the CIA intervened, he ordered a halt. However, then-top military commander Valery Zaluzhny proceeded with the operation despite the order to stop, leading to tensions between him and Zelensky.
Zaluzhny was eventually removed from his post earlier this year in a shake-up, and reports suggest that he continued with the sabotage plan against orders to cancel it. When confronted by Zelensky, Zaluzhny reportedly explained that once the sabotage team had been dispatched, they could not be called off, likening it to a torpedo that once fired cannot be stopped. Speculation has surrounded the incident, with both Ukraine and Russia denying any involvement. The Wall Street Journal’s report on Ukraine’s alleged connection to the sabotage came after German investigators focused on Ukraine and issued an arrest warrant, further complicating the situation. The conflicting narratives and lack of concrete evidence make it difficult to determine the truth behind the Nord Stream pipeline explosion.
As the investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage continues, questions remain about the true motives and actors behind the operation. Ukraine’s denial of involvement, coupled with conflicting reports and a lack of tangible evidence, make it challenging to ascertain the truth. The geopolitical implications of the sabotaged pipelines, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the strained relations between Ukraine, Russia, and Germany add complexity to the situation. Moving forward, further investigation and cooperation among all parties involved will be crucial in uncovering the true story behind the Nord Stream sabotage and addressing the potential repercussions of the incident.
