New York – A recent report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has revealed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky initially sanctioned an operation to sabotage the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, only to attempt to withdraw approval under pressure from the CIA. According to sources cited by the WSJ, the operation was ultimately executed despite Zelensky’s subsequent reversal.
The Nord Stream pipelines, crucial infrastructure designed to transport Russian gas to Germany and other European nations, were severely damaged by explosions in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. The incident caused significant disruption in Russian gas supplies to Europe, which was widely viewed as advantageous to the US and its allies, potentially aligning with earlier claims made by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh. Hersh had suggested that the US Navy, under the guise of a NATO exercise, orchestrated the explosions on orders from President Joe Biden.
The WSJ’s report presents a different narrative, suggesting that the attack on the pipelines was conceived by a group of Ukrainian military officers and businessmen in May 2022. The scheme was purportedly motivated by a desire to diminish Russia’s energy revenues and reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas. The operation, which involved a rented yacht named Andromeda and a crew of six, reportedly cost around $300,000.
Sources familiar with the situation claim that Zelensky’s initial approval for the attack was later rescinded when the CIA intervened. Despite this, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny allegedly proceeded with the operation, arguing that once a sabotage team is deployed, it cannot be recalled.
Zaluzhny, now Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, has vehemently denied these claims, dismissing them as provocations. The WSJ notes that aspects of the account align with findings from the German police investigation into the explosions, which could potentially strain Ukraine’s relationship with Berlin, a key supporter in the EU amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
