While many have suspected Ukraine and/or the United States of being behind the terrorist attack, initial corporate media and official government sources pointed fingers at Russia. This was ludicrous prima facie, but that narrative persisted until the story died. Only then did evidence begin emerging that Ukraine was behind the attack all along.

Washington Post broke the story Saturday. Here’s a recap generated by Discern Reporter:

According to officials in Ukraine, Europe, and several other sources familiar with the covert operation, a senior Ukrainian military officer with strong ties to the country’s intelligence services played a crucial role in the bombing of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline last year. This officer’s involvement provides the most direct evidence to date linking Ukraine’s military and security leadership to a controversial act of sabotage that has sparked multiple criminal investigations. The attack, which U.S. and Western officials have deemed a dangerous assault on Europe’s energy infrastructure, has strained diplomatic relations with Ukraine.

The officer in question is Roman Chervinsky, a 48-year-old decorated colonel who served in Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces. According to sources familiar with the matter, Chervinsky acted as the coordinator of the Nord Stream operation. He managed logistics and support for a six-person team that used false identities to rent a sailboat and employed deep-sea diving equipment to place explosive charges on the gas pipelines.

On September 26, 2022, three explosions occurred, causing significant damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that stretch from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The attack left only one gas link intact as winter approached.

It is important to note that Chervinsky did not act alone nor did he plan the operation. He took orders from higher-ranking Ukrainian officials who reported to General Valery Zaluzhny, the country’s top military officer. Ukraine has been involved in various secretive operations against Russian forces in the past, but the Nord Stream attack targeted civilian infrastructure that provides energy to millions of people in Europe. This attack caused Ukraine to face allegations of undermining a project involving Western energy companies that had invested billions of dollars. The Ukrainian government has not responded to requests for comment on Chervinsky’s participation.

Chervinsky’s role highlights the complex dynamics and internal rivalries within Ukraine’s wartime government. The intelligence and military establishment often clashes with the political leadership in Kyiv. Prior to the Nord Stream attack, Chervinsky was focused on resistance activity in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia. He reported to Major General Viktor Hanushchak, who communicated directly with Zaluzhny.

Given Chervinsky’s extensive experience in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency and the Security Service (SBU), he was well-suited for the covert mission aimed at concealing Ukraine’s involvement. In his statement to The Washington Post and Der Spiegel, Chervinsky denied any role in the sabotage of the pipelines, attributing such speculations to Russian propaganda. He emphasized that he has dedicated his life to defending Ukraine and described the current charges against him related to a different operation as baseless.

The involvement of Chervinsky in the Nord Stream attack contradicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public denials of country involvement. It appears that the operation was designed to keep Zelensky uninformed, with key planning and execution elements directed by Zaluzhny. Official intelligence reporting suggests that Zelensky was unaware of the operation. Chervinsky has accused Zelensky’s close adviser, Andriy Yermak, of spying for Russia and criticized the administration’s handling of the country’s preparedness for Russia’s invasion.

The U.S. has privately expressed concerns to Ukrainian intelligence and military officials about launching attacks that risk provoking Russia’s escalation of the war. Despite this, Ukraine has proceeded with certain operations. The Netherlands’ military intelligence agency, the MIVD, received information in June 2022 suggesting that Ukraine might be planning an attack on Nord Stream. The CIA relayed to Zaluzhny the U.S.’ opposition to such an operation, and it was believed that the plan had been called off. However, the attack was later carried out, with key elements of the original plan remaining unchanged.

Chervinsky’s supporters have appeared in court to defend him, with some wearing T-shirts featuring his face and the #FREECHERVINSKY hashtag. They view him as a symbol of the Ukrainian military’s willingness to make difficult choices for the country’s survival. However, Chervinsky remains in a Kyiv jail on charges of abusing his power in relation to a separate operation.

The involvement of a Ukrainian military officer in the Nord Stream bombing operation sheds light on the complex dynamics within Ukraine’s military and security establishment. While this affidavit contains new information about the specific role Chervinsky played in the attack, it is important to note that the Ukrainian government has not responded to questions regarding his participation. The ongoing investigations and legal proceedings will determine the final outcome of these allegations.

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