The investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline explosion is gaining momentum. Following a report by The Wall Street Journal, which suggested Ukrainians acting under orders from President Volodymyr Zelensky were behind the act, new voices are emerging. The former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), stated that Poland’s President Andrzej Duda is also complicit, having allegedly agreed to the attack with President Zelensky.
A group reportedly rented a boat from which divers placed explosives along the pipeline. According to the WSJ, the group acted on order from President Zelensky, who, after the CIA’s intervention, unsuccessfully attempted to call off the operation.
August Hanning, the former head of the BND, alleged in an interview with Die Welt that there was a covert agreement between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and Andrzej Duda of Poland concerning the Nord Stream pipeline attack.
Hanning accused the leaders of coordinating the sabotage, suggesting that Polish intelligence services provided essential onshore support, thus implicating the highest government levels in both countries. “I don’t think it was just the services, but rather an agreement between the highest levels of government in Poland and Ukraine. Clearly, the Ukrainian sabotage team conducted the attack, but only with significant logistical support from Poland. Such decisions are not made at the highest political level,” Hanning stated.
Hanning criticized the investigative process, remarking that it proceeded despite concerns that its findings might disrupt the current political landscape. He pointed out that both Ukraine and Poland had motives and capabilities for the attack.
Hanning also noted that Poland seemed disinterested in a thorough investigation, implying their involvement was significant enough to potentially affect the outcome. He stressed that due to the involvement of Polish and Ukrainian institutions, the German government would be seeking compensation, as the Nord Stream attacks had a significant impact on gas supply, gas prices and thus German industry.
It is important to note that August Hanning was the head of BND during Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s tenure, who was involved with the Nord Stream pipeline construction as an employee of Gazprom subsidiaries.
Hanning’s comments come as media reveal that Germany has arrested a suspect in the Nord Stream bombings, a professional diver and Ukrainian citizen last known to reside in Poland. German prosecutors have issued a European arrest warrant in hopes of detaining the suspect, who, as it turned out, was no longer in Poland; his current whereabouts are reportedly unknown.
Investigations are underway in several countries. Denmark and Sweden reportedly found traces of explosives on items retrieved from the explosion site, although it was previously reported that both countries had shut down their investigations.
Ukraine denies involvement in the operation, asserting that the pipeline was detonated by Russians. Russia, in turn, blames Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the USA.
