Ukrainian Military Officer Plays Key Role in Nord Stream Pipeline Bombing
A Ukrainian military officer with strong intelligence service connections was instrumental in the bombing of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline last year, according to officials in Ukraine, Europe, and individuals familiar with the incident.
Roman Chervinsky, a decorated colonel with extensive experience in Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, played a key role in coordinating a six-person team to bomb the Nord Stream pipeline, causing massive damage to the infrastructure. Chervinsky allegedly acted under the orders of senior Ukrainian officials and directly reported to Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, the country’s highest-ranking military officer.
The attack on Nord Stream, a critical energy infrastructure supplying gas to millions of people in Europe, strained diplomatic relations and prompted numerous criminal investigations.
Chervinsky has denied any involvement in the pipeline bombing, stating that the allegations are part of Russian propaganda with no factual basis. Despite his denials, the incident highlights the delicate and at times conflicting dynamics within Ukraine’s military and security establishment.
The entire operation was shrouded in secrecy and involved a sailboat rented under false identities and used deep-sea diving equipment to plant explosive charges. This covert mission aimed to obscure Ukraine’s responsibility for the attack on Nord Stream, highlighting the complex nature of the country’s wartime government.
Chervinsky’s arrest on charges related to a separate incident has further complicated the situation, as he claims he was acting on orders from higher authorities. However, his involvement contradicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public denials of the country’s connection to the bombing.
Despite global unease and private admonitions from U.S. officials regarding the risks involved in such attacks, Ukraine has pursued daring and provocative operations targeting Russian forces.
The involvement of Ukrainian military forces in the attack highlights the complexity of the regional conflict and the intricate relationships among international actors in the ongoing crisis.
