Ukraine has denied its involvement in the last year’s attack on Nord Stream pipelines in response to a New York Times (NYT) report.
In a statement, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted, “Although I enjoy collecting amusing conspiracy theories about (the Ukrainian) government, I have to say: (Ukraine) has nothing to do with the Baltic Sea mishap and has no information about ‘pro-(Ukraine) sabotage groups.’”
The NYT newspaper, citing US intelligence officials, reported that a loyal Ukrainian group had carried out the attack independently of the Ukrainian government.
The exact cause of the blasts that took place on September 26 is unknown, but it is widely speculated that the Nord pipelines were deliberately targeted.
The US newspaper claimed that the US officials it cited declined to disclose the nature of the intelligence, how it was obtained or “any details of the strength of the evidence it contains”.
“Officials who have reviewed the intelligence said they believed the saboteurs were most likely Ukrainian or Russian nationals, or some combination of the two,” it reported.
Ukraine denies involvement in Nord Stream pipelines blast
The blasts in the aftermath of Russia shutting down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in August last year, claiming it needed maintenance. While Nord Stream 2 was never put into service.
It triggered another round of blame game between the West and Russia, with the latter calling on the UN’s Security Council to independently investigate them.
Even before the blasts had occurred, Moscow had suspended gas deliveries through the pipeline after a series of sanctions announced by the West.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the German newspaper Die Zeit reported that German authorities claimed to achieve a breakthrough in their investigation into the cause of the attacks.
According to joint research published by the paper and other German media organisations, the boat used to plant the explosives was a yacht hired from a firm based in Poland, which reportedly belonged to two Ukrainians. The nationalities of those who carried out the attack were unclear.
However, the paper says that the investigators have not yet found any evidence as to who ordered the destruction.
It also points out that there is still the possibility of a false flag operation which was intended to point towards Ukraine.
(With inputs from agencies)
