SABOTAGE: Colonel Roman Tsjervynsky (48) is singled out by the Washington Post as the man who coordinated the explosion in the Baltic Sea. But is it right? Photo: The Swedish Coast Guard/AFP and social media
This Ukrainian colonel is accused of having been the main man behind the sabotage against the pipelines in the Baltic Sea. – I do not believe it. It is far more likely that the Russians were behind it, says an expert to VG.
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The American Washington Post and the German Der Spiegel had a joint story, which made top politicians in the West fold their faces into a worried expression:
The claim was that Ukraine was behind the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea in 2022. A 48-year-old Ukrainian colonel named Roman Chervynsky should have coordinated the operation, according to the media’s anonymous sources.
Chervynsky was allegedly in charge of logistics and support for a team of six people, who had rented a sailboat and diving equipment, so they could get down to the pipelines and place explosives, the Washington Post and Der Spiegel said.
German media have also previously pointed to Ukraine as the culprit. Anonymous sources have said that investigators are confident that those who carried out the sabotage were in Ukraine before and after the explosions. Several other pieces of evidence would also point to Ukraine.
“ANDROMEDA”: This sailboat has been identified by the German media as having a key role in the explosion in the Baltic Sea. An expert tells VG that it is unlikely. Photo: OLIVER DENZER / Reuters / NTB
Ukraine has previously accused Russia of being behind the explosion, which occurred in Swedish and Danish waters. Danish, Swedish and German authorities have all started investigations into the leak, and it became clear early on that it was a case of sabotage by blasting.
Orlogkaptein Johannes Riber at the Danish Defense Academy has not changed his view of who is behind it:
– Again there is a story with anonymous sources. I have not changed my view – I still believe that it was very likely the Russians themselves who destroyed the pipelines.
– I think the new story in the Washington Post and Der Spiegel is thin and does not contribute anything new, he says to VG.
EXPLOSION: Bubbles come to the surface after the explosion in the Baltic Sea. Photo: RITZAU SCANPIX / X02352Info
Nord Stream
At the end of September 2022, a leak was detected on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, around 20 kilometers south of Bornholm.
Soon after, leaks were also found on Nord Stream 1 northeast of Bornholm. In total, four leaks were detected.
The pipelines were built to bring natural gas from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.
In April 2023, the Danish defense confirmed that the Russian SS-750 special vessel, which is equipped with the AS-26 mini-submarine, was observed near the Nord Stream pipelines four days before the explosion.
Sea view
The war captain believes that it was an operation that very few would be able to carry out:
– With the sources we now have, it is far more likely that the Russians did it. The fact that it should have been done from a sailing ship – it would be extremely difficult to find the pipe and go down from a sailing ship. Not many people have an insight into what it is like to work underwater in the Baltic Sea.
Johannes Riber points to the Russian ships that were in the area before the explosion happened – and the possible use of a mini-submarine to carry out the action.
– Of the three countries investigating the case, only in Germany has the sailboat been mentioned, says the marine expert.
EXPERT: Johannes Riber. Photo: Defense Academy
– The journalist Seymour Hersh has launched a theory that Norway has been involved – together with the USA?
– Hehe, witty! Crazy! replies the war captain.
– Will the matter ever be resolved, do you think?
– It will be speculation. It may be that the investigators come close to an explanation, but it is therefore not certain that we will get a handle on it. It may take many years before we know. Even if Denmark or Sweden find out, it is not certain that they will tell about it until some time has passed.
– But you don’t believe in the Ukraine track?
– I don’t believe the story that appeared in the Washington Post. Something more concrete will come first.
Incidentally, Roman Chervynsky himself has denied the allegations. Russian Komsomolskaya Pravda also claims that the article in the Washington Post is wrong. They believe they know that Chervynsky has failed several major intelligence operations – and that he would in any case not be able to do something like this.
The authorities in Sweden, Denmark and Germany are investigating the incident, but have not placed the blame on a specific country or actor. Russia has accused the United States and Britain of being behind the sabotage.
Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi flatly refused that they are behind.
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Published: 19.11.23 at 03:38
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2023-11-19 02:38:39
#Expert #Ukrainian #ringleader #dont
