Ukrainian navy officer coordinated Nord Stream pipeline assault that shocked and mystified the West

Spokespersons for the Ukrainian authorities didn’t reply to an inventory of questions on Chervinsky’s participation.

Chervinsky was properly suited to assist perform a covert mission meant to obscure Ukraine’s accountability. He has served in senior positions within the nation’s navy intelligence company in addition to Ukraine’s Safety Service, the SBU, and he’s professionally and personally near key navy and safety leaders.

He has additionally helped perform different secretive operations.

Chervinsky’s participation within the Nord Stream bombing contradicts Zelensky’s public denials that his nation was concerned. “I’m president and I give orders accordingly,” Zelensky stated in press interview in June, responding to a report by The Put up that the U.S. Central Intelligence Company had discovered of Ukraine’s plans earlier than the assault.

“Nothing of the kind has been performed by Ukraine. I’d by no means act that manner,” Zelensky stated.

However the Nord Stream operation was designed to maintain Zelensky out of the loop, folks aware of the operation stated.

Chervinsky’s supporters have proven up in court docket to defend him; just a few have sported a T-shirt emblazoned along with his face and a #FREECHERVINSKY hashtag. For some, he’s a logo of the Ukrainian navy’s willingness to make laborious decisions in a combat for the nation’s survival.

Khurshudyan reported from Kyiv. Souad Mekhennet in Washington and Samuel Oakford in New York contributed to this report.

The Put up and Der Spiegel collaborated on reporting and wrote separate tales that the information organizations agreed to publish on the similar time.