Zelenskyy Denies Ukraine’s Involvement in Nord Stream Bombings

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy insists Kyiv was not involved in the Nord Stream attacks amid ongoing investigations and international relations concerns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly stated that his government did not participate in the bombing of the Nord Stream undersea gas pipelines in 2022. He indicated that Germany is “well aware” that Ukraine had no role in both the planning and execution of the operation.

The assertion comes following the arrest of a Ukrainian man in Croatia, suspected of involvement in the bombings while working on a film project concerning the incident. This individual was reportedly collaborating with another Ukrainian who was detained in Italy in 2025.

Despite allegations from German prosecutors claiming the attacks were ordered by the Ukrainian state, Zelenskyy has consistently denied such involvement. He emphasized the need for cooperation with Germany, expressing hope that the situation would not undermine the trust between Ukraine and European nations that have supported it since the onset of the conflict.

On Monday, Ukraine will host a meeting of its allies in Kyiv, chaired collectively by British, French, and German leaders. This gathering comes as the nation prepares to mark its independence and the four-and-a-half-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. According to reports, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will announce that the UK government will permit defense firm MBDA to share classified intelligence, facilitating the local production of the long-range Storm Shadow/Scalp missile technology by Ukraine and France.

Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to supply Ukraine with the SAMP/T interceptor system, which is designed to protect against specific types of ballistic missiles.

In a concerning development, a drone attack has reportedly resulted in a significant fire at Ozon’s logistics hub in Krasnodar, Russia. Ukrainian forces are said to be targeting prominent logistics facilities, with Ozon being the latest victim after Ukrainian units previously struck Wildberries hubs.

In Ukraine, three individuals were killed due to a Russian attack on the outskirts of Kharkiv, with emergency services successfully evacuating eight others, some suffering injuries. The ongoing conflict continues to bring significant challenges to both the military and civilian populations.

Zelenskyy has recently voiced concerns over the holding of elections during the ongoing war, stating that this could further divide the nation. This statement followed a demand for elections from former defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whom Zelenskyy dismissed for overstepping his role. The suspension of elections in Ukraine was enforced due to martial law as a direct response to the Russian invasion.

Looking forward, Zelenskyy suggested that if conditions were conducive to a legitimate and secure electoral process, he would consider supporting it. This scenario would necessitate military involvement in frontline areas as well as broader measures to ensure safety during the elections, contingent upon a lack of aggression.

The Ukrainian leadership is also wary of potential Russian plans to mobilize an additional 300,000 troops following their parliamentary elections set for mid-September. Zelenskyy described this as a “peripheral mobilization” occurring in less populated regions, predicting that any efforts to conceal such actions would be futile.