A documentary investigates the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, discussing suspects including Ukraine and Poland. It explores the independent expedition to film blast sites and highlights the suspicious activities of the Andromeda yacht. The podcast examines the size and placement of the bombs used and raises the possibility of United States involvement. It also mentions skepticism surrounding the attacks and Poland as a prime suspect.
The Nord Stream bombings involved four separate attacks on the pipelines, with three out of the four pipelines being incapacitated.
Ukraine emerged as a key suspect in the Nord Stream bombings, with evidence suggesting involvement of Ukrainian soldiers and a connection to the crew of the yacht Andromeda.
The investigation into the Nord Stream bombings raises questions about the potential involvement of higher powers and the true perpetrators, leading to resistance from Germany, Ukraine, and the United States in delving deeper into the case.
Deep dives
Blasts Rock Nord Stream Pipelines
On September 26, 2022, a series of explosions occurred in the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Three of the four lines were damaged, with explosions hitting both lines of Nord Stream 1 and Line A of Nord Stream 2. Many countries suspected sabotage, and the list of potential suspects included Russia, the US, the UK, Poland, and Ukraine. The attacks raised tensions, particularly given the ongoing war in Ukraine. Investigations were launched by Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, with each country holding different theories about the perpetrators.
Controversy Surrounding the Nord Stream Project
The Nord Stream project, owned by a consortium led by Russia's Gazprom, aimed to deliver methane gas from Russia to Germany. It consisted of two sets of pipelines: Nord Stream 1, which began operations in 2011, and Nord Stream 2, completed in 2021 but never operational. The project faced opposition, with concerns about German-Russian energy dependence and bypassing of Poland and Ukraine. The US, under both the Trump and Biden administrations, imposed sanctions and expressed displeasure with Germany's involvement. The project became a political battleground.
Suspects and Investigations
As investigations unfolded, various theories emerged about the attackers. Seymour Hersh's explosive report claimed that the US, under the authorization of President Biden, had conducted the sabotage as part of a classified operation. However, investigators in Germany and Sweden were skeptical of Hersh's theory and delved into other possibilities. Leads pointed towards Ukraine, with evidence suggesting Ukrainian soldiers from the 93rd Mechanized Brigade may have been involved. Witnesses described suspicious activities and behavior exhibited by the crew of the Andromeda sailboat, which was linked to the attacks. The investigation continues to uncover more details and unravel the mystery.
The Andromeda Operation and Ukrainian Involvement
The podcast episode covers the alleged Andromeda operation, a plot to bomb the Nord Stream pipelines. According to a Dutch military intelligence officer, General Valeriy Zalucini, the commander in chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, was in charge of the operation. The CIA approached the Ukrainian government to stop the operation, but Ukraine denied any involvement. Despite initial doubts about the credibility of the source, evidence later emerged linking the rented yacht Andromeda and its crew to the successful bombings of the Nord Stream pipelines. The investigation now focuses on determining who authorized the crew and if there is any Polish connection to the attacks.
The Germany-Poland Connection and Uncovering the Truth
The podcast explores the motivations and suspicions surrounding the Nord Stream bombings. Poland, with a competing pipeline and a historical mistrust of Germany, is viewed as a prime suspect. The Polish government downplayed any involvement and even defended the crew of the Andromeda. The investigation uncovers a Polish company, Ferria Le Vova, controlled by Ukrainian businessman Rüstem A., which chartered the boat. The focus shifts to uncovering who authorized the crew and their connection to the broader geopolitical landscape. Many actors, including Germany, Ukraine, and the United States, resist delving deeper into the case, raising questions about the potential involvement of higher powers and the true perpetrators behind the Nord Stream bombings.
In the early morning hours of September 26, 2022, in the deep abyss of the Baltic Sea, an international mystery of substantial consequence began to unfold when a bomb ruptured the Russian-dominated Nord Stream pipeline. It was the opening salvo in a four-pronged attack that day that would leave three of the four pipelines incapacitated. One year later, no suspects have been arrested and no sponsor — nation state or otherwise — has been formally accused of responsibility.
This week on Intercepted, we present a special documentary, "The Hunt for the Nord Stream Bombers." We hear from Holger Stark, an investigative journalist from Germany’s Die Zeit newspaper who has broken several major stories on the bombing, as well as retired Swedish engineer Erik Andersson, who organized a groundbreaking independent expedition to film all four of the blast sites. Jeremy Scahill takes us through what we know and what we don’t about the bombing and examines the top suspects and the mounting evidence suggesting Ukrainian involvement in the attacks.
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