A Washington Post report has cited Ukrainian and European officials claiming that a Ukrainian military officer was involved in the sabotage operation against Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines in the autumn of 2022. The report states that a Ukrainian colonel, Roman Chervinsky, played a key role in managing logistics and support for a six-person sabotage team that carried out the attack.
Chervinsky, 48, had a background in Ukrainian intelligence and the military and was reportedly involved with a Special Operations Forces unit responsible for coordinating sabotage and subversive activities. He also held senior positions in Ukrainian military intelligence and the national security service (SBU). Chervinsky reported to Major General Viktor Hanushchak, who communicated directly with Ukraine’s top military commander, General Valery Zaluzhny.
The Washington Post stressed that Chervinsky did not lead the Nord Stream sabotage operation and did not act alone; he was acting on orders from more senior Ukrainian officials reporting to Zaluzhny. Chervinsky denied any involvement in the sabotage operation through his attorney, who stated that speculations about his involvement were being spread by Russian propaganda without any basis. Additionally, he was arrested in April 2023 on charges of abusing his power in another Ukrainian intelligence operation, which he claimed was politically motivated.
In a separate report, German media outlets stated that all evidence in the Nord Stream sabotage case pointed to Ukraine. The report also quoted German broadcaster ZDF, which suggested that the clues pointing to Ukraine were particularly convincing. However, there was no reliable evidence to suggest that Russia was behind the attack.
The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were destroyed by underwater explosions off the Danish island of Bornholm in September 2022. According to Western media outlets, evidence uncovered in the case pointed to Ukraine, while Kiev has denied involvement in the incident. Reports indicated that a group of saboteurs chartered a yacht using a fake passport and used it to transport explosives to the site where the Nord Stream pipelines were destroyed. German media also reported that the group responsible for chartering the yacht had been in Ukraine before and after the explosions took place.
Despite probes launched by several European nations, no confirmed claims have been made about the identities of the alleged perpetrators. The officials have neither confirmed nor denied reports about the identities of those involved in the sabotage operation.
The situation surrounding the Nord Stream sabotage continues to be a topic of interest for the media and has raised geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The case remains under investigation, and the magnitude of the impact of the sabotage has yet to be fully realized. The attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines exemplifies the growing tensions and deep-rooted conflicts between the countries and has broader implications for energy security across Europe. The incident has also shed light on the complex web of relationships and geopolitical allegiances in the region, providing a backdrop for further analysis and discussions regarding the future of Europe’s energy landscape.
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