Report: Zelenskyy Approved Plot to Blow Up Nord Stream Pipelines
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly approved the plan to blow up Russia's Nord Stream pipelines. However, according to the Wall Street Journal report, after the CIA learned of the alleged operation and called on the Ukrainian leader to pull the plug, he called it off....
Facts
- Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy allegedly approved the plan to blow up Russia's Nord Stream pipelines. However, according to the Wall Street Journal report, after the CIA learned of the alleged operation and called on the Ukrainian leader to pull the plug, he called it off.[1]
- But according to the sources who spoke to the Journal — said to include four Ukrainian military and intelligence officials with knowledge of the alleged plans — Ukraine's military leader at the time, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now the country's ambassador to Britain, went ahead regardless.[1]
- Once the attack was executed, other sources said that Zelenskyy chastized Zaluzhnyi. However, the former general is said to have brushed off the criticisms, stating that it was too late to change course as the team had gone incommunicado and could not be reached without jeopardizing the operation.[1]
- The alleged plan was reportedly hatched during a night of boozing between Ukrainian military officials and businessmen in May 2022. The report added that one of the businessmen later agreed to pay for the $300K operation, while one of the generals with knowledge of special operations was entrusted to lead the mission. He reported directly to Zaluzhnyi, according to the sources.[1]
- In responding to requests for comment, Zaluzhnyi and an official from Ukrainian intelligence rejected involvement. Separately, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior advisor to Zelenskyy, denied the Ukrainian leader's involvement when speaking to Reuters, instead blaming the attack on Russia.[1][2]
Sources: [1]The Wall Street Journal and [2]Reuters.
Narratives
- Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrainska Pravda. Ukraine had no involvement in this operation. Only a team with extensive technical and financial resources could carry out such an attack. Therefore, all signs point to Russia being the perpetrator.
- Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Blaming Ukraine for this attack is a manufactured effort to absolve Western countries, who are the real perpetrators. Russia will not be fooled by such superficial efforts.
