Ukraine denies involvement in Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

RFI

16 August 2024 at 6:26 am·1-min read

Ukraine has denied a report from The Wall Street Journal that it was involved in the 2022 explosion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline transporting Russian gas to Europe. Germany has issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian suspect.

"Ukraine has nothing to do with the Nord Stream explosions," Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak said in reaction to a report by The Wall Street Journal that claimed Ukraine's top military commander, Valery Zaluzhny, oversaw a plan to blow up the pipelines.

The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, which ran from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, started leaking in September 2022 – seven months after Russia invaded Ukraine.

They had already stopped delivering gas to Europe when investigators concluded that the leaks were caused by explosions set deliberately as sabotage.

"Such an act can only be carried out with extensive technical and financial resources... and who possessed all this at the time of the bombing? Only Russia," Zaluzhny said.

Blame game

Russia has blamed the blasts on Ukraine as well as the United States and Britain, which denied the accusation.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Ukraine had discussed blowing up the pipelines at a meeting of senior military officers and businessmen in May 2022, soon after Russia’s invasion.

(with newswires)

Australian Associated Press
Prescott celebrates biggest NFL payday with victory
Quarterback Dak Prescott has led Dallas to a 16-point opening-day win in Cleveland hours after agreeing to a four-year, $359 million contract with the Cowboys.
Australian Associated Press
$436k shortfall in accused MP's transfers, trial told
SA MP Troy Bell transferred funds back to a not-for-profit he is alleged to have stolen from to avoid the risk of being exposed, a court has been told.
Australian Associated Press
Rivals warn Penrith, Storm that finals are no cakewalk
Penrith and Melbourne are the firm favourites to play in this year's NRL grand final, but history shows the top two teams rarely face off in the decider.
Australian Associated Press
Amorosi has to pay mother almost $900k to vacate home
A Supreme Court justice has ordered singer-songwriter Vanessa Amorosi's mother to vacate her family home so her daughter can gain funds for restitution.
Australian Associated Press
Clifford lives up to his promise of returning to NRL
Cowboys half Jake Clifford knew he wasn't done with the NRL when he moved to England at age 24, but he didn't expect a finals return to come so quickly.
Australian Associated Press
Brisbane defender Payne cleared of serious knee injury
Co-captain Harris Andrews says he has full faith in Brisbane's defensive depth should injured backman Jack Payne be ruled out of the semi-final against GWS.
Australian Associated Press
Smith officially tells Bulldogs he wants to be traded
Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has officially told the club he wants to be traded, ending a year of speculation about his future.
Australian Associated Press
'Denied basic rights': TV star hits out over court loss
Troubled TV star Andrew O'Keefe has lashed the "current state of law" after failing to overturn convictions for domestic violence.
Australian Associated Press
Final results give Country Liberals a thumping majority
A huge election win for the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party means the conservative party will be able to pass legislation almost uncontested.
Australian Associated Press
X doesn't mark the spot when it comes to Twitter fine
X Corp should not be responsible for fines issued to Twitter by the Australian eSafety Commissioner, its lawyers argued, as they are different companies.
Australian Associated Press
'I'll be playing': Bedford declares himself fit for GWS
GWS tagger Toby Bedford has yet to complete training, but he has already declared himself fit for the Giants' AFL semi-final clash against a red-hot Brisbane.
Australian Associated Press
'Unacceptable': MPs told to lift standards, lower tone
As one Liberal member called for quotas for women in parliament, MPs have been urged to ease back anger in political debate amid rising social tensions.
Australian Associated Press
'Ridiculous' for Bennett to suggest bunker is cut: NRL
Andrew Abdo has confirmed the NRL's bunker system is here to stay despite frustrations from outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.
Australian Associated Press
Hynes embraces scrutiny, sees silver lining in injury
Nicho Hynes says he has learned to embrace the scrutiny with his job as Cronulla's halfback, after returning from an ankle injury for the NRL finals.
Australian Associated Press
Mining bash to dish up nuclear as PM pushes future plan
While the federal government spruiks clean energy jobs and growth, the mining industry is demanding an end to the nuclear ban for a future made in Australia.
Australian Associated Press
Powell to remain Hockeyroos coach until 2028 Olympics
Katrina Powell will remain as Hockeyroos coach until at least the end of the 2028 Olympics after signing a contract extension.
Australian Associated Press
Killer bus driver's jailing 'not about revenge': judge
A driver who caused a deadly wedding bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley faces a lengthy jail term as "accountability, deterrence and punishment", a judge says.
Australian Associated Press
Gawn 'glad' Demons have hired ex-All Black for review
Melbourne captain Max Gawn is "glad" the embattled Demons are conducting an external review, saying all AFL clubs should do them yearly.
Australian Associated Press
Sri Lanka poised to end England's flawless summer
Sri Lanka are set to end England's perfect Test summer as they need just 125 runs to win at The Oval, with nine wickets in hand.
Australian Associated Press
Papenhuyzen set to Storm into first week of NRL finals
Ryan Papenhuyzen is confident he will return from leg bone bruising and play for Melbourne in their NRL qualifying final against Cronulla.

Blame game

Latest stories