16-8-2024 (BERLIN) German law enforcement has reignited the investigation into the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosion by issuing an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national, raising fresh questions about Ukraine’s potential involvement in the incident. The suspect, known only as “Volodymyr Z”, is believed to have been residing in Poland at the time of the sabotage but has since fled to Ukraine, evading arrest in early July.
According to German media reports, Volodymyr Z is alleged to have been part of a six-member Ukrainian diving team that executed a sophisticated operation to damage the Nord Stream pipeline. The group reportedly hired a German yacht in September 2022, sailing over the pipeline to plant explosives that resulted in significant damage to multiple sections.
The Nord Stream pipelines, designed to transport Russian natural gas to Germany, had been a source of contention in the West, viewed as a potential national security threat. The sabotage occurred in international waters within Swedish and Danish economic zones, prompting investigations by multiple countries.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the operation was a carefully orchestrated plan, taking four months to prepare and costing approximately $300,000. In an attempt to maintain cover, the group allegedly included a female diver to give the appearance of a pleasure cruise.
The report also suggested that while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially supported the plan, he later attempted to halt it following pressure from the CIA. However, it was claimed that Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhniy disregarded the order and proceeded with the operation. Zaluzhniy has since denied any knowledge of or involvement in the sabotage.
German intelligence services have not ruled out the possibility of a Russian “false flag” operation, designed to justify their continued invasion of Ukraine. This theory has found support among Polish security agents, who have provided German authorities with names of potential Russian suspects.
Two additional suspects named by German media are Svitlana and Yevhen Uspenska, a Ukrainian couple who operate a diving school. Both have denied any involvement, with Svitlana Uspenska asserting she was in Kyiv at the time of the incident.
While Germany, Denmark, and Sweden initially launched investigations into the sabotage, the latter two countries have since closed their inquiries. Swedish authorities confirmed the presence of explosives at the site but, along with Denmark, concluded they lacked sufficient grounds to pursue criminal charges.
The United States intelligence community suggested in 2023 that a pro-Ukrainian group was responsible for the attack. John Kirby, then-National Security Council spokesman, confirmed the U.S. belief that it was an act of sabotage while emphasising that the United States was not involved.
