Andriy Kobolev told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” that there was no doubt that Russia was the perpetrator. “Gas supplies are not a business for Russia. They are a weapon, and Russia has always been ready to use that weapon to blackmail Europe. The Germans in particular never wanted to admit that to themselves,” he told the newspaper.
The energy manager also explains why, in his view, only Russia can be behind the crime. “These pipelines in the Baltic Sea are monitored very well. There are many sensors embedded in the pipes that allow the gas flow to be monitored. […] While the pipeline was being completed by the production ship Akademik Chersky, Russian military ships approached and transferred equipment. This is on record. It is also known that these military ships were commissioned by the Russian Navy to conduct sabotage operations on the high seas.”
Because NATO also has a strong presence in this area, it is almost impossible that the bombs were planted by divers or submarines, Kobolev said. He says: “They [the Russians, i. Red.] already installed the explosives during the construction of the pipeline. This method is not a Russian invention, but a legacy of the Soviet Union. In the last construction phase of Nord Stream 2, all foreign companies and their ships were already sanctioned. So the pipeline was completed by Russian ships alone. These production ships were escorted by Russian warships. And the pipeline was completed exactly at the point where the explosion now happened.”
The Ukrainian is certain that the domestic secret service FSB is behind it: “That wouldn’t surprise me.”
Russia denies being behind the blasts. Germany, Denmark and Sweden have announced a joint investigation. “It has been agreed with my counterparts: We now want to form a joint investigation team – a joint investigation team under EU law, to which all three states send investigators,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) of the “Bild am Sonntag”.
Experts from the navy, police and intelligence services should work together here. Faeser also announced sea controls with neighboring countries Poland, Denmark and Sweden. “We patrol the seas in close coordination with one another. We’re showing the maximum possible presence,” she said. All available ships of the federal police would be used for this.
