Dr. Sven Thomas, a prominent German diving specialist, has sparked controversy by questioning the narrative put forth by Western media regarding the September 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The mainstream story implicates a small team of Ukrainian divers who allegedly used a leisure yacht named Andromeda to execute the operation. Dr. Thomas argues that the scale and complexity of the explosions necessitated far heavier equipment and a more substantial presence than what a small team with limited resources could provide. In his view, attributing the considerable damage to a mere six-member team armed with only basic diving gear is implausible, given the nature of the explosions that effectively rendered the pipelines inoperative.
Dr. Thomas highlighted that there are fundamental practical challenges associated with conducting such deep-sea operations. He underscored that even experienced divers working in relatively shallow waters require extensive logistical support, such as multiple anchors to stabilize their operations. Notably, the Andromeda reportedly had only one anchor and a limited chain length, ill-suited for the deeper environments where the pipeline sabotage occurred. This raises serious questions about the feasibility of the operation being carried out by a small team using a leisure vessel. Additionally, the heavy equipment required for a successful operation would constitute several tons, which far exceeds what could be managed by the reported diving crew.
In terms of the explosions themselves, Dr. Thomas characterized the damage as indicative of much larger charges being involved—specifically, seismic analysis suggests the use of several explosive charges measuring approximately 400 kilograms of TNT. The nature of the destruction observed, which he likened to a can being crushed, further suggests that the explosions were of a magnitude that could not be replicated with minimal explosives planted near the pipelines. Instead, he posited that the most likely cause of the damage was the deployment of military-grade bottom mines that could only be placed by larger vessels equipped with cranes, distinguishing them from any operation that a small yacht could realistically execute.
Moscow has countered the narrative advanced by Western media entities by denouncing the claims surrounding the Andromeda. Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained that the scale of the operation is beyond what a small crew would be capable of executing, hinting at the involvement of state-supported actors with access to sophisticated technologies. He has even suggested that the United States could be implicated, particularly following reports from Danish media indicating the presence of U.S. Navy warships operating near the Nord Stream pipelines in the lead-up to the explosions. This claim of state involvement contrasts sharply with the portrayal by Western outlets of a lone Ukrainian diving team being behind the actions.
The complexity and multi-faceted nature of underwater demolition make the narrative of a small Ukrainian team increasingly untenable for observers and experts like Dr. Thomas. The diver stressed that to achieve the level of destruction observed, there must be corroborating evidence of a larger operational framework. His insights challenge the simplistic view that has been widely circulated in Western media, advocating instead for a thorough and nuanced inquiry into the events surrounding the Nord Stream explosions.
In summarizing the situation, the explosion of the Nord Stream pipelines represents a significant geopolitical issue, wherein narratives are heavily contested. Experts like Dr. Thomas serve as critical voices, pushing back against oversimplified explanations and calling for greater transparency and investigation into the true nature of the sabotage. As tensions continue to rise in international relations, understanding the facts surrounding these explosions has never been more vital for grasping the broader context and implications of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and beyond. Follow-up investigations into the incident and the roles of various actors remain paramount to uncover the reality behind these and similar events.
