Under the icy, black waters of the Baltic Sea, there is a tangled web of geopolitics, energy conflicts, and secret players. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022 is not merely a tale of explosions and gas leaks—it’s a maze of deception, where the difference between reality and fiction dissolves, and the truth is as murky as the seafloor itself. Who sabotaged the pipelines? The answer is anybody’s guess, but one thing is sure: it was not an accident. It was a deliberate act with global repercussions.

The Incident

On September 26, 2022, seismometers detected explosions along the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, crucial veins carrying Russian natural gas to Europe. Within hours, methane began bubbling out, and Europe’s energy security was upended. The pipelines, once a source of economic cooperation between Russia and Europe, were now dead, their ruptured remains a grim reminder of the fragility of global energy networks.

But who did it? And why?

The Suspects

Russia
The glaring suspect, of course? Russia has used energy as a weapon in the past, so turning off the gas spigot to Europe would be one way to get tough with the West in the context of the Ukraine war. But wait, it gets better: the pipelines were down to begin with, and Russia was losing billions in revenue. Damaging its own pipelines would not be very logical—unless it was a fake attack intended to create mischief and frame others.

United States (CIA)
Enter the conspiracy theory that refuses to die. The Biden critics point to what he said in February 2022: “If Russia invades Ukraine, there will be no Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.” Was this a clairvoyant threat or a smoking gun? They say that the U.S. had motive and the means to blow up the pipelines. By turning off Russian gas, the U.S. could remove Moscow from its stranglehold over Europe while gaining enhanced LNG exports.

Ukraine
Ukraine, at war with Russia in a brutal conflict, had every incentive to strike a blow at its aggressor. In destroying the pipelines, Ukraine could slice into Russia’s revenue from energy and rally European sympathies. Ukrainian agents have been reported to have carried out the attack, although Kyiv officially denies it. Could this have been a clandestine operation to incapacitate Russia’s economic jugular?

Other Actors:
Let’s not rule out the wildcards. Was it a rogue state like Poland, long a critic of Nord Stream? Or an illicit group of green activists, wishing to strike at fossil fuel infrastructure? The possibilities are as vast as the Baltic Sea is deep.

The Evidence
– The investigation has been anything but straightforward. Here’s what we know:

– The explosions were the work of sophisticated underwater explosives, pointing to state action.

– Swedish and Danish investigations confirmed the blasts were deliberate but did not name anyone.

– A suspicious yacht, allegedly used by saboteurs, was followed to a Polish-owned company with Ukrainian connections.

– U.S. intelligence reportedly warned European allies of a potential attack on the pipelines several months before the incident.

The Scenarios

The U.S. Play
If the CIA had blown up the pipeline, it would be a new and blatant move in the war of energy. By shutting off Russian gas supplies, America could force Europe to resort to American LNG, strengthening transatlantic ties while isolating Russia. But this would expose the U.S. to global condemnation.

The Ukrainian Gambit
If Ukrainian assets carried out the attack, that would be asymmetric warfare genius. By attacking at Russia’s economic jugular vein, Ukraine could cripple Moscow’s war apparatus and rally European opinion. It would also, however, threaten to alienate allies that are dependent on Russian energy.

The Russian False Flag
If it was a Russian sabotage, then perhaps it is a desperate attempt to blame the West and allow more aggression. By sabotaging its own pipelines, Russia can place the U.S. or Ukraine in the aggressor role, stimulate home front support, and generate war in Europe, but this scenario is highly unlikely in nature.

The Unknown Actor
Suppose the sabotage was done by a third party, and they sought to destabilize the region for their own agendas? In the evil world of geopolitics, anything goes.

The Mystery Remains

The sabotage of Nord Stream has reset the world energy map. Europe, hitherto dependent on Russian gas, has accelerated its shift towards renewables and imports of LNG. Russia, conversely, has lost a key source of income and bargaining power. But the true cost of sabotage is economic only to the extent—it is an assault on cooperation, faith, and the fragile etiquette of international relations.
As the investigations go on, there is one sure thing: the truth behind the Nord Stream sabotage might never come out. Much like the pipelines themselves, the truth is hidden beneath layers of politics, power, and propaganda. Was it the CIA? Ukraine? Russia? Or possibly someone else altogether? The world might never learn—but the intrigue will keep us speculating, debating, and theorizing conspiracy for years to come.