German investigators claim that a Ukrainian special unit led by General Zaluzhny is involved in the sabotage of the “Nord Stream”. The investigation is ongoing, they claim that the goal was economic harm to Russia.
The Wall Street Journal reports that German investigators concluded that an “elite Ukrainian military unit” was involved in the sabotage of the “Nord Stream” pipelines in September 2022 under the leadership of the then Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny. This investigation was conducted over three years at the police headquarters in Potsdam. Zaluzhny briefly reacted to the situation by stating on social media that he would “never be ashamed”.
The article notes that investigators used a variety of methods, such as tracking rental boats, phones, and license plates, to establish possible involvement of individuals. Law enforcement issued arrest warrants for three soldiers from the special Ukrainian unit and four veterans. It is claimed that one of the “crucial pieces of evidence” was a photo showing a face, presumably of a Ukrainian diver.
It is also reported that one of the suspects was taken from Poland to Ukraine in a car with diplomatic plates, allegedly driven by a Ukrainian military attaché. Another suspect, Sergey Kuznetsov, a former SBU officer, was arrested in Italy. His lawyer insists on the client’s innocence, emphasizing that the actions, even if they occurred, were in the framework of Ukraine’s defense and provide the right to immunity.
This incident has significant geopolitical implications because the “Nord Stream-1” and “Nord Stream-2” pipelines were filled with gas at the time of the explosion, although they were not operational due to Russian aggression. After the event, the EU suspected deliberate sabotage and began investigations in several countries. Ukraine denies its involvement, but this case could impact international relations and energy supplies.
| Date of the event | September 26, 2022 |
| Suspects | 3 soldiers, 4 veterans |
| Location | Nord Stream, Baltic Sea |
| Investigation methods | Tracking boats, phones, license plates |
| Potential consequences | Impact on geopolitical situation and energy supply |
