Ukrainian yacht blamed for Nord Stream explosion

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The latest speculation about the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines at the end of September 2022 is a hard one. According to the latest research by ARD, SWR and “Zeit”, the traces of the perpetrators should lead to Ukraine.

The focus is on a yacht belonging to a “pro-Ukrainian” group, which must have played a central role in the explosion in the Baltic Sea. But what exactly is behind the latest allegations – and is it known yet? Blick provides the most important answers.

What are the new speculations about the perpetrators?

A questionable yacht is at the center of the investigations, which allegedly involved authorities in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the US. It would belong to two Ukrainians and was used for the covert operation.

A team consisting of a captain, two divers, two dive assistants and a doctor is said to have brought the explosives on board to the crime scene. However, the yacht would have been rented by a company based in Poland.

However, the nationalities of the six-member team are not known – they are said to have used false passports. According to American officials, the New York Times writes, there are many indications that they were opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin (70).

According to authorities, the group left Rostock, Germany, on September 6. According to media investigations, the detectives then managed to locate the boat the next day in Wieck am Darss and later on the Danish island of Christiansö. As the “Bild” reports, the group allegedly returned the yacht to its owner uncleaned – later the investigators were able to detect traces of explosives.

The US newspaper “New York Times” had previously reported, citing US secret services, that a “pro-Ukrainian group” was behind the “Nord Stream” explosions.

What is the role of the Ukrainian government?

According to the New York Times, according to US officials, there is currently no evidence that the “pro-Ukrainian” group was acting on behalf of the government.

People close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (45) also claim that. According to his adviser Mykhailo Podoliak (51), the government in Kiev is “absolutely not involved”. He wrote that on Twitter.

ARD said international security circles could not rule out the possibility that tracks had been deliberately laid to portray Ukraine as the author. However, the detectives apparently have no evidence of such a so-called “false flag” campaign.

Still, some officials believe Ukraine and its allies have the most logical possible motive for attacking the pipelines, having resisted the project for years. It would threaten national security and allow Russia to more easily sell gas to Europe.

What’s next?

According to the investigation, investigators found no evidence of who ordered the destruction of the Nord Stream. Germany, Sweden and Denmark informed the UN Security Council a few days ago that their “investigations are ongoing and there are still no results”.

There are still major gaps in what US spy agencies and their European partners know about the incident, according to US officials. However, the latest clues could be the first major clue, continues the New York Times. The new intelligence reports have strengthened officials’ belief that they can draw a firm conclusion about the perpetrators. However, it is unclear how long this process will take.

What does Russia say about the latest speculation?

As reported by The Guardian, the Russian government is calling for an independent international inquiry into the report. Moscow will demand a UN Security Council vote on launching such an investigation.

Source: Blick