WSJ: Selensky knew about plans to attack North Stream
Investigators have been trying to determine who is behind the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea for nearly two years. According to a report by the "Wall Street Journal," Kyiv is responsible - with the knowledge of high-ranking officials in the administration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly knew about the plans to attack the Nord Stream pipelines. The "Wall Street Journal" reports this, citing multiple unnamed sources in the military apparatus.
"I always laugh when I read speculation in the media about a huge operation involving intelligence agencies, submarines, drones, and satellites," said a Ukrainian officer who claims to have been involved in the plot. "It all started from a drunken night and the iron will of a handful of people who had the courage to risk their lives for their country."
The idea to blow up the gas pipelines - a strike against Russian President Vladimir Putin - emerged at a meeting of Ukrainian military and business figures just a few months after the start of the large-scale Russian invasion in 2022.
A few months later, three explosions on the underwater pipes caused massive damage. According to the "Wall Street Journal" report, six people were directly involved in the operation, with costs totaling around $300,000. The plan was reportedly funded by private money.
Zelenskyy tried to stop the attack
Before the attack, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is said to have approved the plans. However, the CIA reportedly got wind of the plans and warned Zelenskyy against carrying out such a strike. According to several Ukrainian officers and officials, Zelenskyy then ordered the then Chief of General Staff Valery Saluschnyy to stop the action. However, the general reportedly ignored the order; instead, his team adjusted the original plan. The mission was reportedly led by former intelligence officer Roman Tscherwynsky, who reported directly to Saluschnyy. Tscherwynsky himself declined to comment on the allegations. Saluschnyy stated that he knew nothing about such an operation.
After the attack in September 2022, Zelenskyy reportedly confronted his Chief of General Staff. However, Saluschnyy is said to have shrugged off the criticism. The general told Zelenskyy that once the sabotage team was deployed, they could no longer communicate because any contact with them would jeopardize the operation.
"It was like a torpedo - once you've fired it at the enemy, you can't recall it, it just keeps going until it 'booms'," a high-ranking officer told the "Wall Street Journal" about the conversation between the president and his highest military official.
There are no written records of the operation, according to the report. Everything was discussed orally among Ukrainian officials for security reasons.
The attack on Ukraine, mentioned in relation to the Nord Stream pipelines, was allegedly approved by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, but he later tried to stop it, as reported by multiple sources. Despite his order, the attack proceeded due to the actions of his Chief of General Staff and other officials.
