NewsUntangling the Nord Stream pipeline attack: Swedish findings to boost German investigation

Untangling the Nord Stream pipeline attack: Swedish findings to boost German investigation

LUBMIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 16: Tugboats guide the "Neptune," a Norwegian-flagged FSRU ship, backwards into Lubmin Port to a new terminal for importing liquified natural gas (LNG) on December 15, 2022 in Lubmin, Germany. The Neptune is a floating facility for converting LNG back into gaseous form. The ship will enable Germany to use the existing Nordstream 1 landing point, which had previously been used to import natural gas from Russia via the Nordstream 1 underwater pipeline, for pumping natural gas arriving by ship into the German natural gas pipeline network. Germany is building several LNG terminals along its northern coasts as it seeks new ways of importing gas now that supplies from Russia have mostly stopped. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | Sean Gallup

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6 February 2024 18:15, updated: 7 March 2024 09:08

The Attorney General's office leads the German examination of events in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BKA).

"The investigation is still taking place", confirmed German investigators. They have plans to utilise the evidence collected by Sweden, which has pursued its own investigation into a possible sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline, a part of which extends into the Swedish economic zone.

Germany has a "particular interest" in fragments of shattered pipes, which were retrieved from the Baltic Sea by the Swedish military following the explosions that happened in autumn 2022 - so reports the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".

The investigators aim to compare explosive traces discovered on these pipe fragments with those found on the Andromeda yacht. According to German authorities, this is currently the "strongest lead that could potentially bring them to the culprits."

Among the findings of the German prosecutor's office is that the Andromeda yacht was likely hired by a Ukrainian citizen in September 2022, using funds from a Polish company's accounts, which is also reportedly owned by a Ukrainian citizen.

The yacht, crewed by six, departed from the German port of Rostock. The theory is that a diving team might have planted explosive devices on the pipes of the Nord Stream pipelines. The yacht stopped at various places during its journey, including the Danish island of Christianso, Sandhamn in Sweden, and Kolobrzeg in Poland – as detailed by the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung".

Polish authorities show hesitancy in assisting the investigation

Germany and Sweden have been frequently exchanging information during this investigation – the Swedish prosecutor has paid visits to the Federal Prosecution Office in Karlsruhe, and German investigators travelled to Stockholm, where evidence that could potentially be employed in the German investigation were discussed.

However, according to the "Sueddeutsche Zeitung", "whereas the Swedes have been cooperative, Polish authorities have consistently impeded cooperation with German investigators".

"Despite repeated requests, the Polish authorities have supplied the German investigation with scant information, and this often after significant delays. So far, Poland has seemingly not shared any surveillance footage from the port in Kolobrzeg that could potentially offer fresh insight about the Andromeda crew" – adds the newspaper.

The focus of the German investigation is on intentional detonation and an act of sabotage against state security.