New intelligence examined by US officials indicates that a pro-Ukrainian group was behind the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines in September, according to a report.
There was no evidence that Of Ukraine president or something Kiev official was behind the attacks that spewed natural gas into the Baltic Sea, and there are no firm conclusions, reports the New York Times.
But the paper quoted US officials as saying the culprits were most likely Russian or Ukrainian citizens against it by Vladimir Putin scheme.
Months of speculation over who was responsible followed explosions that hit the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which carry Russian gas to Germany.
The US intelligence magazine suggested those who carried out the attacks oppose Russian President Putin “but did not specify the members of the group, or who directed or paid for the operation,” according to the New York Times.
“Officials examining the intelligence said they believed the saboteurs were most likely Ukrainian or Russian nationals, or a combination of the two. US officials said no American or British nationals were involved,” the newspaper’s report said.
Ukrainian officials have denied that Kiev had any involvement in the blasts.
Russia has repeatedly denied involvement and blamed the West, while the WE and NATO called the pipeline attacks “an act of sabotage”.
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Fourth breach on the Nord Stream gas pipeline
Investigators from Sweden AND Denmark – in whose exclusive economic zones the explosions took place – said the ruptures were the result of sabotage, but did not say who they blame.
They said last month that their investigations are not yet concluded.
On Tuesday, the United States and Britain said they were awaiting these results, with White House spokesman John Kirby adding “only then should we look at what next actions might or might not be appropriate.”
Germany said on Tuesday that it has taken note of the New York Times report but that its own investigation has yet to yield any results.
An elderly aide of Volodymyr ZelenskyMykhailo Podolyak said that Kiev “was absolutely not involved” in the explosions and has no information on what happened.
To know more:
“Powerful explosions” behind gas pipeline leaks
Ukrainian forces vow to stand by Bakhmut
Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, each consisting of two pipes, were built by the Russian state-controlled Gazprom to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
But due to friction between Russia and the European Union Moscow’s invasion of UkraineNord Stream was down when explosions destroyed three of the four pipelines.
Three of the four pipes were ruptured by unexplained explosions in September and one pipe of Nord Stream 2 remains
intact.
