Ukrainian group planned Nord Stream bombing in 2014: Report
2 Min Read
New evidence has emerged, linking a Bavaria Cruiser 50 sailing yacht named Andromeda and its crew to the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipelines.
-
In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, a leak from Nord Stream 2 is seen, on Sept. 28, 2022. (AP)
A Ukrainian group reportedly planned the bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines as early as 2014, predating the reunification of Crimea with Russia, as reported by German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, citing sources.
According to the report released on Saturday, a source stated that new evidence links a Bavaria Cruiser 50 sailing yacht named Andromeda and its crew to the explosion.
Former German spy chief Gerhard Schindler was cited as claiming that the group's connection to the explosion does not imply that Ukraine's government ordered it.
Read more: German FM refuses to comment on Nord Stream blasts after visit to Kiev
In September 2022, explosions damaged the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, which transport gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
Nord Stream AG, the operator, described the damage as unprecedented and indicated uncertainty regarding the repair timeline.
Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and Norway have excluded Russia from their investigations into the attacks.
In February, Copenhagen and Stockholm halted their investigations despite acknowledging sabotage as the cause of the pipelines' disruption.
With Germany being the only country still investigating the incident, Russia said it will be observing Germany's decision on the matter.
Polish FM says US knew about Nord Stream attacks
In March, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that the US knew in advance about the impending attacks on the Nord Stream pipeline but did not step in to prevent them.
Sikorski tweeted a photo from the scene of the accident at the time and signed it with "Thank you, USA." He then later brought to mind US President Joe Biden's threat to demolish the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. However, the tweet was deleted just a few hours after it was posted.
Speaking with Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, he said "If we believe media, it [the attack] was carried out by someone who was interested in it. And the US had preliminary information about this and did not interfere with this move."
However, Sikorski did not name those responsible for the accident.
Read more: US planted explosives that destroyed Nord Stream, claims Seymour Hersh
