A Ukrainian special forces commander was reportedly instrumental in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September 2022, findings from a joint investigation by The Washington Post and Der Spiegel revealed on Saturday.
Roman Tchervinski, a 48-year-old who served in the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, was identified as the “coordinator” of the sabotage operation by the US newspaper and the German magazine. The sources, who spoke anonymously, included officials in Ukraine and other European countries, alongside others aware of the operation.
Tchervinski is said to have overseen logistics and managed a team of six, who rented a yacht under false identities and used diving gear to plant explosive charges on the pipelines. However, the Washington Post reports that Tchervinski neither planned the operation nor acted alone, but received instructions from higher-ranking Ukrainian officials.
Through his lawyer, Tchervinski dismissed any involvement in the Nord Stream attack to both newspapers: “All speculations about my involvement in the Nord Stream attack are spread by Russian propaganda without any basis”.
Lots of theories, little evidence
The sabotage of Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines on 16 September 2022 disrupted a key infrastructure for Russian gas exports to Europe and heightened tensions in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February of the same year. Responsibility for the explosions has been attributed to Ukraine, Russia, and the United States; all parties have denied involvement.
Whilst Western media speculation in the immediate wake of the sabotage focussed on Russia as the culprit, substantiating evidence was never found. Subsequent theories suggested that the US was behind the damage.
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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky denied numerous times any potential involvement from his country. The Washington Post suggests that the sabotage operation may have been planned without Zelensky’s knowledge.
No response was given by the Ukrainian government when the American newspaper and Der Spiegel solicited their comment on the investigation.
Presently, Tchervinski is standing trial in Kiev, charged with abusing his power in an attempt to induce a Russian pilot to defect. He purports that these charges are political reprisals in response to his criticism of President Zelensky, according to media reports.
