According to Die Welt, the sabotage group, believed to consist of Ukrainian citizens on the Andromeda yacht, received direct instructions from Mr. Zaluzhny - who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in February 2024 and transferred to work as Ambassador to the UK.
This information appeared at a time when there were many speculations that Mr. Zaluzhny was quietly preparing to run for president. Some sources say Zaluzhny is building a London campaign team, turning himself into Zelensky's toughest political opponent. However, Mr. Zaluzhny repeatedly denied it.
Previously, Der Spiegel magazine (Germany) revealed that Mr. Zaluzhny not only approved the Nord Stream sabotage but also wanted to expand the campaign to the TurkStream gas pipeline in the Black Sea, but the plan was blocked. Mr. Zaluzhny himself firmly denied any involvement.
However, many experts are still skeptical about the "Ukrainian traces" theory. An unnamed official was quoted by Die Welt as saying that the sabotage group's actions were "excessively exposed", and calling the hypotheses accusing Russia or the US of being behind "unfounded plots".
In contrast, Moscow insists Kiev lacks the technical capabilities to carry out the sophisticated operation. "It is impossible to sabotage Nord Stream without a special forces force from the West, especially the UK," emphasized Nikolay Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council. Previously, President Vladimir Putin also hinted that the US under the new President Joe Biden was a real director.
From Germany to Russia, from the US to Ukraine, the Nord Stream case continues to be a "political bomb" that deeply divides public opinion. And the surprise mention of Zaluzhny by the German investigation could make the power game in Ukraine and Europe more dramatic.
