A senior Ukrainian military officer with ties to the country's intelligence services has been implicated in the bombing of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines last year, according to officials and sources familiar with the operation. Roman Chervinsky, a decorated colonel in Ukraine's special operations forces, played a central role in coordinating the attack, which caused massive leaks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that run from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The attack, which has sparked multiple criminal investigations, has been described by U.S. and Western officials as a dangerous assault on Europe's energy infrastructure.

Chervinsky's involvement in the operation indicates the complex dynamics and internal rivalries within Ukraine's military and security establishment. He reportedly took orders from more senior officials, including Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's highest-ranking military officer. Chervinsky's attorney has denied his involvement in the pipeline sabotage. Ukraine has been known to conduct secretive operations against Russian forces, but the Nord Stream attack targeted civilian infrastructure and drew objections from U.S. officials.

The motive for the attack was Ukraine's concern that Nord Stream would allow Russia to bypass Ukrainian pipelines and deprive Ukraine of transit revenue. Chervinsky's role in the Nord Stream attack contradicts President Volodymyr Zelensky's public denials of Ukraine's involvement. Zelensky has stated that he was not aware of the operation, which was planned and executed under the authority of more senior military officials. This revelation raises questions about the degree of control Zelensky has over Ukraine's military and intelligence activities.

The revelations come in the context of Chervinsky's ongoing legal troubles. He is currently being held in a Kyiv jail on charges of abusing his power in relation to a separate operation to lure a Russian pilot to defect to Ukraine. These charges are seen by Chervinsky and his supporters as political retribution for his criticism of Zelensky's administration. The Nord Stream attack was not the only operation Chervinsky has been involved in. He has also overseen other secretive operations, including an attempt to capture fighters for Russia's Wagner mercenary group in Belarus and operations targeting pro-Russian separatist leaders in Ukraine.

The revelations about Chervinsky's role in the Nord Stream attack add another layer of complexity to the already tense diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the West, as well as strain Ukraine's relationship with Russia. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden have launched investigations into the Nord Stream explosions, while Russia has called for a United Nations investigation into the incident. The revelations also raise questions about the role of other countries, such as the United States, in the pipeline attack. Earlier reporting had suggested possible U.S. involvement, but U.S. officials have repeatedly denied any knowledge or involvement in the operation.