(MENAFN) According to a report by Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper, metadata from emails used to rent a yacht allegedly involved in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines last year points to Ukrainian nationals. The publication had previously suggested that a yacht named 'Andromeda' was utilized by a group of divers for sabotaging the pipelines. This claim was supported by the discovery of explosive traces in the yacht's cabin and the presence of counterfeit identification documents used during the yacht's rental.

The recent Der Spiegel report reveals that metadata from an email inquiry about renting the yacht "leads to Ukraine." Additionally, it is reported that the president of the presumed shell company through which the yacht was rented resides in Kiev, as corroborated by German broadcasters NDR and WDR, along with other media sources within the European Union.

In light of these findings, investigators are now exploring two possibilities. Firstly, they are examining whether the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines could have been carried out by an independent group of Ukrainian commandos. Alternatively, they are considering the potential involvement of higher authorities in Kiev, suggesting that the sabotage might have been authorized by the Ukrainian government. It is important to note that the Ukrainian government vehemently denies any connections to the explosions.

As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these allegations could have far-reaching consequences. The Nord Stream pipelines are critical energy infrastructure that provide gas supplies to Europe, and any deliberate sabotage has significant geopolitical implications. The involvement of Ukrainian nationals, if confirmed, would raise concerns about potential motives and ramifications for regional stability.

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