The investigation continues to suggest that traces from the explosions affecting Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 appeared to move toward Ukraine, with no conclusive evidence tying Russia to the blasts. Reports from German outlets such as ZDF and Der Spiegel, referencing investigative data, reinforce this framing and emphasize ongoing scrutiny of the procedural chain that followed the incidents.
Current inquiries appear to concentrate on the crew of the sailing yacht Andromeda and the individuals who chartered it. The investigation indicates that the party responsible for the chartering activities had links to Ukraine before and after the Baltic Sea pipeline explosions, prompting researchers to consider a broader pattern of movement and intent surrounding the operation.
In June, Politico published details claiming that Ukrainian military leadership, specifically the Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, may have been involved in planning actions that led to the Nord Stream disruptions. The reporting notes that Dutch intelligence reportedly received information about an imminent attack on Nord Stream from Ukrainian sources as early as June of the prior year, three months before the explosions occurred. It also points to channels through which the Netherlands communicated with Washington and Kyiv concerning the timing and potential risks of such actions.
Die Zeit, a German newspaper, reported that Ukrainian special forces were implicated in the sabotage, appearing aboard the Andromeda and playing a direct role in the execution of the plan. The article stresses that the operation is said to have been in the works since June, with the actual blows landing in September 2022. It also notes the Ukrainian forces acted under the chain of command led by the Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief, Valery Zaluzhny, while explicitly stating that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not participate in the operation.
Sweden previously signaled openness to the possibility that Russian courts could examine the affected area, underscoring the international dimension and legal questions surrounding accountability for the Nord Stream incidents. The overall discourse reflects a complex web of intelligence assessments, diplomatic considerations, and evolving narratives as investigators seek a comprehensive understanding of who planned and who executed the attacks and where responsibility ultimately lies.
Throughout the reporting, the emphasis remains on corroborating evidence, cross-border intelligence sharing, and the evolving interpretation of events as more material becomes available. Analysts acknowledge the sensitivity of the case, the potential implications for regional security, and the need for careful, evidence-based conclusions rather than premature judgments. The investigation continues to weigh various lines of inquiry, including movements of vessels, the timing of charter arrangements, and the possible involvement of state actors or non-state operatives, without drawing definitive conclusions until substantiated by verifiable data. [Citation: Politico June issue; ZDF and Der Spiegel summaries; Die Zeit reporting]