"US Authorities Point Pro-Ukraine Forces as Behind Nord Stream Gas Pipeline Explosion"

"Unrelated to Zelensky and Ukrainian Leadership"
Controversy Over Repair Costs Continues... Russian Backlash Expected

It has been reported that U.S. intelligence agencies have obtained information indicating that pro-Ukrainian forces were involved behind the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion that occurred last September. Western intelligence agencies, including those of the United States, had previously strongly accused Russia of being behind the incident immediately after it happened, but as no concrete evidence proving Russia's involvement emerged, the case fell into a deadlock. Amid expected strong backlash from Russia, disputes over the enormous repair costs are also expected to intensify.

Last September, bubbles rose from a section of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that exploded near the coast of Bornholm Island in the Baltic Sea. Bornholm=Reuters·Yonhap News

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 7th (local time), citing a U.S. government official, that "a report regarding the responsibility for the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion has been prepared, and according to it, information has been obtained that pro-Ukrainian forces were involved behind the incident," adding, "However, it does not appear to be linked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or the top leadership, but there is speculation that forces connected to the Ukrainian military were responsible."

Previously, in September last year, a powerful explosion occurred on the seabed within the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Denmark and Sweden, damaging parts of three out of the four Nord Stream-1 and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines. The explosion was confirmed to be a deliberate act rather than an accident, but the responsible party behind the explosion had not been identified, leaving the case unresolved.

Immediately after the incident, the U.S. and Western intelligence agencies strongly accused Russia, suggesting that Russian spies might be behind it, while Russia countered by claiming it was a staged act by the U.S. and the West. However, as no evidence pinpointing the exact culprit emerged, suspicions only deepened. Since the gas pipelines were jointly established by Russia and Germany, and Russia was selling gas to Germany and Europe through these pipelines, there was speculation that Russia was less likely to be responsible.

Some have also suggested that Ukraine might be behind the incident. Ukraine had strongly opposed the construction of the Nord Stream pipelines in the past, and there was suspicion due to the fact that natural gas exported to Europe could ultimately be used by the Russian government to fund the war.

However, it is known that the Ukrainian government was not directly involved according to the information obtained by U.S. intelligence agencies, and the name of the organization actually behind the incident has not been disclosed, so controversy is expected to continue. The NYT reported, "U.S. government officials have declined to provide further specific comments on the information related to the perpetrators of the gas pipeline explosion and refused to answer questions about the sources or evidence of the information."

Ukraine has repeatedly denied involvement in the incident. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, strongly rebutted in a statement, saying, "Without a doubt, Ukraine was never involved in any unauthorized acts related to the gas pipeline," adding, "Such claims are completely baseless." He further emphasized, "Russia is responsible for attempts to cause instability in the region," and "From the very first day of the underwater gas pipeline construction, Ukraine continuously warned Western partners that if this project were realized, it would sharply increase strategic risks to European security."

If it is confirmed, as per U.S. intelligence investigations, that pro-Ukrainian forces were behind the incident, Russia, which has so far claimed no involvement in the case, is expected to strongly retaliate. Apart from the Ukraine war, fierce disputes are anticipated over the repair costs of the gas pipeline, estimated at about 500 million dollars (approximately 658.7 billion Korean won).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.