Nord Stream pipeline blast blamed on Ukrainian maverick
A Ukrainian intelligence and special forces veteran has rejected claims that he was the mastermind behind the underwater explosions that knocked out the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in September last year.
Bombs planted on the bed of the Baltic Sea blew open three of the four conduits carrying Russian natural gas to Germany, an act of sabotage that remains unsolved. Fingers have been pointed at Russia, the US and Poland, but German investigators believe that the attack was carried out by a Ukrainian-sponsored group.
The Washington Post and Der Spiegel reported at the weekend that “Ukrainian sources” briefing unnamed western intelligence agencies had identified the ringleader as Roman Chervinsky, a high-profile special forces operative with a colourful CV.
Chervinsky, 48, faces prosecution
