The explosions in the Baltic Sea that caused leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines have been puzzling for months. According to a media report, the US government now assumes that a pro-Ukrainian group blew up the gas lines. Secret service information would point to this, reports the “New York Times”.
Related intelligence information reviewed by US officials is the first significant lead that could lead to clarification of responsibility for the September blasts, the US newspaper reports. Initial speculation was about a Russian act of sabotage, particularly given the country’s capabilities in underwater operations. According to US investigators, however, no evidence has yet been found that the Russian government was involved in the attack.Possible connection to Kiev.According to unnamed US officials, the collected intelligence now indicates that the perpetrators are opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the New York Times, the officials did not want to provide any further information on the members of the group or how the operation was managed or paid for. While there are no clear conclusions from the available intelligence information, it is possible that the operation was unofficially carried out by a proxy force with ties to the Ukrainian government or its security services. However, it was stressed that there was no evidence that the perpetrators Acted on the orders of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or government officials. The government in Kiev and also the Ukrainian secret service have said that they played no role in the attack and do not know who carried it out. Explosives placed by divers Most likely, the explosives were placed by experienced divers, but not for the military or work for intelligence agencies, US officials said, according to the report. The divers may have received special training in the past. The saboteurs are most likely Ukrainian or Russian nationals, or a combination of both. Anonymous US officials told the New York Times that Ukraine and its allies are the most likely motive for the pipeline attack Nord Stream 1 and 2 would have. The construction of the lines was rejected years before the Russian war of aggression and viewed by Ukraine as a threat to national security.
