Investigators are probing the unexplained sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines and found a vessel suspected of transporting explosives used in the attacks, German officials said Wednesday.
The German Federal Prosecutor's office stated that a vessel was searched from January 18 to 20, 2019, "in connection with a questionable ship rental."
Nord Stream Pipeline Attack Investigation
"There is a suspicion that the vessel in issue was utilized to transfer explosive devices" to detonate the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea in September.
Explosions have become a sensitive geopolitical issue with significant repercussions for Russia's conflict in Ukraine, Western backing for Kyiv, and Europe's severe decrease in its use of Russian energy. According to NBC News, early suspicions fell on the Kremlin, but ongoing investigations have yielded little clarification.
German authorities stated on Wednesday that their "investigation of the recovered traces and artifacts is underway" and that the German firm that hired the searched vessel is not a suspect. Investigations are underway to determine the nationality and identity of the culprits, who have not yet been apprehended or recognized publicly.
The German authorities' declaration comes after various news sites reported that US intelligence believed a pro-Ukrainian organization may have been responsible. US and European intelligence authorities suspected pro-Ukrainian saboteurs might be involved after it was reported that newly reviewed US intelligence indicated the same, as per NY Times.
Boris Pistorius, the German minister of defense, stated on Wednesday, without elaboration, that the incident may have been a "false-flag operation" to make it look that pro-Ukrainian organizations were responsible.
Germany has shipped more weaponry to Ukraine than any other member of the European Union. While many Germans support the government's actions, some are concerned that delivering weapons into a combat zone may prolong the conflict and perhaps spark a broader war.
Ukraine Denies Role in Pipeline Sabotage
Any indication that the Ukrainian government was responsible for the pipeline attack might hinder Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ability to continue shipping heavy weaponry and training the Ukrainian military.
Immediate suspicion for the attack, which impacted three of the four pipelines comprising Nord Stream 1 and 2, fell on Moscow, but fears about the perpetrators also included Kyiv, London, and Washington.
The incident increased worries about wintertime gas scarcity in Germany. Before the war, fifty-five percent of the gas used in Germany came from Russia. In the months following the invasion, Germany weaned itself off most of the natural gas it was receiving directly from Russia, but the explosions made it plain that there was no turning back.
Per Global News, Ukraine has denied any role in the September attack on the pipes meant to transport Russian natural gas to Germany via the Nord Stream project. Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential adviser, stated that Ukraine "was in no way engaged."
It is uncertain what caused the explosions on September 26, although it is commonly suspected that the pipelines were assaulted. The attack harmed two pipelines and attacked a vital revenue stream for Russia. At the time of the incident, which occurred months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, both pipelines were shut down.
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