One year after the devastating ruptures of the gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany along the Baltic Sea, investigators are honing in on potential Ukrainian involvement, marking a significant turning point in the ongoing probe.

In the wake of the explosions that struck the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines last year, a complex web of clues and suspicions has gradually begun to unravel, leading investigators in various directions. Recent reports from prominent German media outlets, including Die Zeit, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and ARD, have shed light on the mounting credibility of a Ukrainian connection to what is being hailed as one of the largest sabotage acts in modern history.

The most recent revelations regarding this Ukrainian link surfaced as a result of a joint investigative effort by these media organizations. Among their findings is the identification of a Ukrainian businessman based in Kiev, known only as Rustem A. (The German media has opted to withhold the full names of suspects). German law enforcement agencies are currently scrutinizing Rustem A.’s purported involvement through a “shell” company in the case.

Rustem A. appears to have ties to the Andromeda yacht, a vessel that German investigators allege was used by the saboteurs for transportation. The 50-meter yacht, found to contain traces of explosive residue, embarked on its fateful journey from Rostock, a northern German city, in September of the preceding year. It made multiple stops in the Baltic Sea and moved in proximity to the blast sites near the Danish island of Bornholm.

Previous revelations indicated that the yacht’s expenses were funded by Feeria Lwowa, a company ostensibly operating as a travel agency but exhibiting minimal business activities. German journalists managed to trace this company back to Rustem A., the Ukrainian businessman. When approached by phone, Rustem A. initially demanded a staggering $5,000 for an hour of conversation, citing the value of his time, and even resorted to derogatory language towards the journalists. Subsequently, he issued threats against them if they were to report him to the police. All attempts to locate him in person proved futile, as he drove into a heavily guarded residential area in Kiev.

Further investigation led to the identification of the Ukrainian owner of the email address that communicated with the German lessor of the yacht. This individual, known as Maxim B., is employed by a company that secures contracts from the State for maritime services. However, when confronted by journalists, Maxim B. denied any involvement in chartering the Andromeda yacht last year.

German investigators, on the other hand, are treating Maxim as a suspect due to his role in arranging the boat rental. He sent copies of two counterfeit passports—an alleged Romanian and Bulgarian passport—via email.

The Romanian passport bore the name Stefan Marcu, but law enforcement agencies have cast doubt on the authenticity of the photographs, suggesting they do not match the stated identity and may instead belong to someone named Valeria K. Intriguingly, this individual has made appearances in Ukrainian military attire on social media. His grandmother, located in Dnipro, Ukraine, confirmed his deployment on the front lines and his limited use of a phone.

However, German investigators have not ruled out the possibility of identity theft linked to the Romanian passport. Valeria’s girlfriend, who resides in Frankfurt am Oder, Germany, categorically denied any involvement in the pipeline destruction, and no traces of Valeria’s DNA were discovered aboard the Andromeda yacht.

The Bulgarian passport carried the name Mihail Popov, which, too, appears to be a fabricated identity, associated with the ship’s captain.

Crucially, German investigators have uncovered that some members of the Andromeda’s crew used mobile phones that were traced back to Ukraine after the pipeline attacks.

What has emerged recently is that the yacht made several additional stops in the Baltic Sea shortly before the explosions. Apart from temporary docking in Poland and Denmark, it also made landfall in the Swedish port of Sandhamn. A witness from Sandhamn recounted seeing five men and one woman on board, with two of the men sporting military haircuts. The woman was described as petite with brunette hair.

Officially, German authorities have maintained a veil of secrecy around the suspects. When questioned by reporters, the highest federal prosecutor’s office officially stated, “The identity of the perpetrators and their motives are under ongoing investigation.” Simultaneously, Sweden and Denmark are conducting parallel investigations into the pipeline explosions.

However, Poland has taken a different stance, squarely placing the blame on Russia for the pipeline attacks. Some Nordic media findings have supported this hypothesis, highlighting the presence of Russian ships near the explosion sites during the alleged incidents.

In response, the Kremlin has vehemently denied any involvement in the pipeline destruction, instead pointing fingers at Western nations. Russia has been especially attentive to speculations by veteran American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, who has suggested that the United States, in collaboration with Norway, orchestrated the pipeline explosions.

Citing an undisclosed source in the U.S. intelligence community, Hersh recently claimed that the White House aimed to prevent Germany from further relying on Russian gas supplies after the impending Nord Stream 2 project.

As investigations continue to unfold, the complex web of clues and allegations surrounding the Russian-German gas pipeline explosions remains enigmatic, with international implications and diplomatic tensions continuing to escalate. The truth behind this significant event is yet to be fully uncovered, leaving nations and global observers eagerly awaiting further developments in this ongoing saga.

Article by Prague Forum