Sabotage on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines: A Ukrainian officer is said to have played a key role
A Ukrainian special forces commander is said to have played a key role in the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022, according to a joint investigation by the Washington Post and Spiegel published on Saturday. According to the American newspaper and the German magazine, 48-year-old Roman Chervinsky, who served in Ukrainian special forces, was the “coordinator” of the sabotage.
They cited officials in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, as well as others with knowledge of the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Mr. Tchervinsky allegedly oversaw logistics and supervised a team of six people who rented a sailboat under false identities and planted explosive charges on pipelines using diving equipment, the American newspaper detailed. He neither planned the operation nor acted alone, but took his orders from higher-ranking Ukrainian officials, the Washington Post added.
Through his lawyer, Mr. Tchervinsky denied any involvement in the two newspapers: “All speculation about my involvement in the Nord Stream attack is spread by Russian propaganda without any basis. »
The sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines on September 16, 2022 disrupted a key route for Russian gas exports to Europe and heightened tensions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sources said responsibility for the explosions was attributed to Ukraine, Russia or the United States, but all denied it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly denied that his country could be involved. “I would never do that,” he told German daily Bild in June, adding that he “would like to do that.”[t] see evidence.”
According to the Washington Post, the sabotage operation was intended to keep Mr. Zelensky in the dark. The American newspaper and Der Spiegel say they asked the Ukrainian government for a response to their investigation, but it did not respond.
Roman Chervinsky is currently on trial in Kiev. He is accused of abusing his power when he tried to pressure a Russian pilot to defect. According to media reports, the prosecution is political retaliation for criticism of President Zelensky.