Berlin/Bologna – A suspected pipeline saboteur, Ukrainian Serhii K. (49), was brought before a judge in chains on Friday. He displayed a trident, the Ukrainian national symbol, with his fingers.

This further fuels speculation!

Since several explosions rocked the Baltic Sea on September 26, 2022, destroying three of the four strands of the Nord Stream pipeline, there has been repeated speculation: Was the Nord Stream attack the work of Ukraine or was it ordered by Kyiv?

There is no official evidence of Ukrainian state involvement so far. However, there are indications of government involvement.

These theses are circulating

Initially, everyone pointed the finger at Russia. But other indications quickly began to point toward Ukraine.

▶︎ Last year, the German magazine"Spiegel" reported that a "Ukrainian secret commando" had rented a yacht in Rostock and, using combat divers, had placed mines on the pipelines. At least one of the divers involved, Voldomyr S., is a Ukrainian citizen. He is also said to have brought the crew to the yacht on the night of September 8th.

The money for the yacht came from a Polish shell company called Feeria Lwowa, which, according to ARD, SZ and Zeit, is said to be backed by the Ukrainian businessman Rustem A.

▶︎ As the American newspaper"Wall Street Journal" also reported, a handful of Ukrainian military personnel and businessmen are said to have plotted to blow up the pipeline during a boozy evening. Their goal: to weaken Russia.

According to the report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only learned of the sabotage operation late and—under pressure from Washington—ordered its abort. The attack was carried out nonetheless. Allegedly, it was directed by Valery Saluzhny (52), who at the time served as Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army.

Also allegedly involved, according to “Spiegel”: Roman Chervinskyj, who was, among other things, one of the heads of counter-espionage at the domestic service SBU.

This is what Kyiv says

Ukrainian President Zelensky repeatedly and firmly rejected the allegations."Kiev knew nothing about a plan to blow up the Nord Stream gas pipelines," he stated, adding:"Nothing like that was done by Ukraine. I would never act like that."

In a further statement, he clarified:"I am president, and I give orders accordingly. Nothing of the sort has been done by Ukraine." Zelenskyy also expressed the suspicion that such allegations were being deliberately circulated to weaken international support for his country.

The Ukrainian side also declined to comment on possible complicity in the attack to BILD on Thursday and Friday, in view of the ongoing proceedings.