A joint investigation by The Washington Post and German news magazine Der Spiegel has uncovered evidence of a covert Ukrainian military operation targeting Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines. The Kremlin, reacting with heightened concern, asserts that the report exposes a worrisome lack of control within the Ukrainian leadership and demands attention from the collective West. As accusations and counter-accusations swirl, the alleged orchestrator of the attack, Roman Chervinsky, denies involvement, sparking an international diplomatic crisis.
Kremlin Expresses ‘Alarm’ Over Ukrainian Military’s Unilateral Action
The Kremlin, known for its measured responses, did not mince words as it expressed alarm over the reported Ukrainian military operation against the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasized that the revelation points towards Ukrainian involvement in the attack and raises concerns about President Zelenskyy’s purported unawareness of the operation. The ripple effect of this revelation extends beyond the borders of the two nations, demanding attention from the collective West.
Coordinated Attacks: Ukrainian Special Forces Commander Named as Orchestrator
The Washington Post’s report sheds light on the alleged mastermind behind the September 2022 explosions that rattled Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines. According to the investigation, Ukrainian special forces commander Roman Chervinsky, with extensive intelligence links, orchestrated the attack without the knowledge of President Zelenskyy. Chervinsky, according to the report, operated within a chain of command led by General Valery Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian military’s commander-in-chief. This revelation not only implicates Chervinsky but also suggests a potential pattern of covert operations against Russia without presidential approval.
International Fallout: Accusations and Counter-Accusations Amplify Tensions
The Nord Stream attacks have been a longstanding source of contention, with accusations flying in all directions. While Russia had previously accused the West, particularly the United States and Britain, of involvement without providing evidence, some US and European officials had initially pointed fingers at Russia, an assertion dismissed as “idiotic” by Putin. The lack of concrete evidence on both sides amplifies the diplomatic tensions, leaving the international community grappling with the complex aftermath of the explosions that disrupted Russia’s gas exports to Europe.
