The federal prosecutor's office confirms parts of the reports on the results of investigations into the Nord Stream explosions. The Karlsruhe authorities say nothing about the perpetrators, motives and possible state control.
In January, the federal prosecutor's office had a suspect ship searched in connection with the Nord Stream explosions. The Karlsruhe authority announced this at the request of the German Press Agency.
The announcement by the Karlsruhe authorities follows reports on the results of investigations, according to which a group of six people drove to the Baltic Sea in a yacht rented in Rostock in September to attach explosive devices to the gas pipeline.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office further announced that there was a suspicion that the ship could have been used to transport explosive devices. Reliable statements on perpetrators, motives and state control could not be made at the moment.
Research by ARD, SWR and "Zeit" has revealed a number of alleged details from the investigation. According to reports, "a pro-Ukrainian group" could be responsible for the attack on the gas pipeline - but there is no evidence.
Authorities in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the USA were involved in the investigation, reported "Zeit". The advisor in the Ukrainian presidential office, Mykhailo Podoliak, firmly denied any involvement by Ukraine. Ukraine has nothing to do with the accident in the Baltic Sea and no information about pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups, he tweeted.
From the US side, the communications director of the US government's National Security Council, John Kirby, referred to the ongoing investigations in Germany and Scandinavia. "We believe it was an act of sabotage," he said. First, the investigation must be terminated. Only then can we talk about how to proceed.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that he had no further comments. Stoltenberg said they knew it was an attack, a sabotage. It would be wrong to speculate about who is behind this before the investigation is complete.
According to media reports, investigators have so far found no evidence of who commissioned the destruction. However, they identified a boat that could have been used for the Baltic Sea venture. The yacht was rented by a company based in Poland, which "apparently belongs to two Ukrainians," it said. So far, this seems to be the only indication of a lead towards Ukraine.
The team that is said to have perpetrated the attack consisted of a captain, two divers, two diving assistants and a doctor. This group is said to have rented the yacht in Rostock on September 6th - almost three weeks before the explosions. After the ship was returned, traces of explosives were found in the ship, according to the reports, which have now been confirmed by the federal prosecutor.
