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Based on the above investigative findings, I will provide a comprehensive and critical analysis.

Nord Stream Explosion: What Is Known and What Remains Unclear

① Overview of the Incident

On September 26, 2022, near Bornholm Island in the Baltic Sea (Danish waters), three of the four pipelines of Nord Stream 1 and 2 were destroyed by underwater explosions. These are massive natural gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany, and the incident is considered the largest energy infrastructure sabotage in history.

② Biden's "Suggestion" Statement

President Biden stated during a press conference on February 7, 2022, following a meeting with German Chancellor Scholz: "If Russia invades...Nord Stream 2 will be no more. We will bring an end to it."

Additionally, Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland stated approximately 20 days before the explosion during a State Department briefing: "If Russia invades Ukraine, then one way or another Nord Stream won't happen."

These statements are widely cited as "suggesting American involvement" in the incident.

③ Seymour Hersh Report: Basis and Problems with the "U.S. Culprit Theory"

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, based on a single anonymous source claiming to be directly involved in planning, accused the United States of destroying Nord Stream.

According to Hersh, the attack was carried out using the NATO exercise "BALTOPS22" as cover, with U.S. Navy divers placing explosives in cooperation with the Norwegian Navy, with approval from President Biden.

However, this report has serious problems:

• The White House categorically denied it as "completely false and fiction."
• Hersh has previously faced criticism for excessive reliance on anonymous sources.
• Hersh named Biden based solely on an anonymous single source. Many argue that insufficient evidence exists to conclusively determine the U.S. as the sole suspect or identify who is responsible.

④ Current Status of Investigation (Latest Information: 2025-2026)

This is the most important point. The investigation's progress indicates a direction different from the "U.S. culprit theory":

Arrest and Prosecution of Ukrainian Suspects:

• On August 21, 2025, Italian police, based on a European arrest warrant issued by German authorities, arrested a Ukrainian man on suspicion of involvement in the explosion.
• According to German investigative agencies (joint investigation by Die Zeit, ARD, and Süddeutsche Zeitung), German authorities have identified all suspects. The alleged ringleader, "Serhii K.," is a former Ukrainian intelligence agency (SBU) officer and businessman who was detained in Rimini, Italy, while on vacation with family.
• Another suspect, "Ruslan A.," whose company paid for the yacht "Andromeda" used to travel to the explosion site.
• On July 2, 2026, the German Federal Prosecutor formally indicted a 50-year-old Ukrainian national on charges of involvement in the explosions that destroyed Nord Stream.

Passports and National Involvement Suspicions:

• The suspects used authentic passports under false names, suggesting that Ukrainian authorities may have supported this sabotage operation.
• Dutch military intelligence intercepted information indicating that Ukraine was planning sabotage several months before the explosion.

Ukraine's Denial:

• Ukrainian prosecution authorities stated: "Based on our investigation to date, we have found no evidence that the Ukrainian government or officials were involved in the Nord Stream explosion."

Status of Investigations by Various Countries:

• Swedish and Danish investigations concluded on February 2024 without identifying those responsible. Currently, only the German investigation continues.

⑤ Comprehensive Analysis

Conclusion

The fact judicially established at present is that "a Ukrainian group served as the perpetrators." The "U.S. culprit theory" based on Biden's statements and Hersh's report carries some persuasive power in explaining motivation, but it is an accusation dependent on an anonymous single source, with no publicly available independent corroborating evidence. Meanwhile, the German investigation is steadily progressing in the direction of identifying and prosecuting Ukrainian suspects.

However, the question of "who ordered and funded the Ukrainian perpetrator group"—the chain of command—remains unresolved, and the involvement of the U.S., NATO, or the Ukrainian government has not been completely ruled out. The full truth depends on the outcome of the ongoing German trial.

Regarding the destruction of Nord Stream, various theories have emerged. While there are reports and claims that President Biden and the American government hinted at involvement, these remain unconfirmed information or rumors.

According to official investigation results and credible reporting, no clear conclusion backed by evidence has been reached regarding responsibility for the Nord Stream destruction. International investigations may be ongoing in some cases, but the information is extremely complex, and the possibility of involvement by multiple countries has been raised.

Reaching a conclusion requires considering many factors, and many suspicions at this point may result from political conflict or intentional information manipulation. For fact-checking, it is important to pay attention to the latest official announcements from credible sources.

Regarding the destruction of Nord Stream, summarizing the situation based on the statements attributed to U.S. President Joe Biden suggesting involvement and the actual sabotage operation:

Biden's Alleged Statements and Hints

On February 7, 2022, President Biden made statements during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, saying that if Russia invaded Ukraine, "Nord Stream 2 will be gone. We are going to bring an end to it." This statement is interpreted as indicating intent to prevent the operation of Nord Stream 2 as a sanctions measure against Russian invasion.

While some journalists and media outlets report that President Biden later acknowledged involvement in the Nord Stream destruction, the White House has denied this as "completely false." In January 2023, U.S. State Department Victoria Nuland (Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs) also stated in Senate testimony that she was "pleased" that Nord Stream 2 became "a big hunk of metal sitting on the bottom of the ocean."

Investigation Status and Prevailing Theories

On September 26, 2022, multiple pipeline breaches occurred in Nord Stream 1 and 2 through the Baltic Sea, and this is believed to be sabotage through explosion. Swedish and Danish investigations announced "evidence of explosions was found," but by February 2024, investigations in both countries concluded without identifying perpetrators.

Regarding the actual perpetrators of the sabotage, multiple theories have emerged:

• Russian Involvement Theory: Some European security officials confirmed Russian naval auxiliary vessels or submarines near the gas leak sites, and some view Russia as the party benefiting most from the destruction. Russia strongly denies involvement.

• U.S. Involvement Theory: Russia initially blamed Britain, later the United States, for the sabotage. American investigative journalist Seymour Hersh reported in February 2023 that the United States, using NATO exercises as cover, remotely detonated explosives on Nord Stream pipelines causing their destruction. The U.S. government denies this.

• Pro-Ukrainian/Ukrainian Involvement Theory: In March 2023, the New York Times reported that U.S. authorities possessed information suggesting the sabotage was carried out by a "pro-Ukrainian group." While no evidence points to instructions from Ukrainian government officials, German investigative reporting indicates six men and women of unknown nationality borrowed a yacht from a company operated by Ukrainians and planted bombs. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine denies Ukraine's involvement.
• Furthermore, on July 2, 2026, the German Federal Prosecutor reported that Serhii K., a Ukrainian national, was indicted in the Nord Stream explosion case. The prosecution alleges that Serhii K. is a Ukrainian military officer who, at the direction of Ukrainian state institutions, planned to destroy Nord Stream 1 and 2.

Conclusion

The true perpetrator of the Nord Stream destruction remains unconfirmed, and official statements from investigative agencies in each country have not reached definitive conclusions. President Biden's past statements suggested blocking the operation of Nord Stream 2 but did not acknowledge direct involvement in the destruction act.

Multiple theories exist, and in particular, information suggesting involvement of Ukrainian military officers and the indictment of Ukrainian nationals by the German prosecution indicate strong reporting of possible sabotage by pro-Ukrainian forces. However, neither Russia, the United States, nor Ukraine has officially acknowledged involvement, and the debate in international society continues.

As of 2025-2026, German official investigations have determined that a Ukrainian group (including former military-affiliated individuals) carried out the act; no evidence has been found indicating direct involvement by the United States or the Biden administration.

Regarding Biden's Statement

On February 7, 2022 (before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine), President Biden stated at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Scholz:

"If Russia invades...Nord Stream 2 will be no more. We will bring an end to it."

This statement refers to policy and sanctions-based operational suspension, not physical destruction (explosion). In fact, following the invasion, Germany suspended Nord Stream 2 certification, and operations effectively ended even before the explosion incident occurred approximately seven months later on September 26, 2022.

The interpretation of this statement as a "hint" stems from post-incident speculation that "Biden had warned in advance," but no official records or investigations treat it as evidence of physical sabotage.

Event Overview and Investigation Results (2026)

• The Incident: On September 26, 2022, explosions occurred on Nord Stream 1 (two pipelines) and Nord Stream 2 (one pipeline) in the Baltic Sea, causing severe damage. The natural gas supply route from Russia to Germany became functionally non-operational.

• German Federal Prosecutor Investigation (ongoing as of 2026):
• Seven Ukrainian nationals identified as suspects (one may have died in combat in Ukraine).
• Serhii K. (former Ukrainian military officer, alleged operational coordinator) arrested in Italy in August 2025 and extradited.
• Between June-July 2026, Serhii K. charged with war crimes (attacks on civilian infrastructure) and related offenses. The prosecution argues the operation was "planned and executed under instructions and on behalf of Ukrainian state institutions" (aimed at cutting off Russian gas revenues as a war funding source).
• The vessel allegedly used was the sailing ship "Andromeda," departing from Rostock, Germany. Forensic evidence including DNA, fingerprints, explosive residue, and damage marks on diving cylinders connect the suspects.
• Swedish and Danish investigations concluded in 2024 (citing jurisdictional reasons, etc.).

• Other Key Points:
• A Polish court rejected extradition of another suspect in 2025 (some viewed it as "legitimate defensive action").
• Ukraine's prosecution office denies "national-level involvement" and claims ongoing investigation.
• Earlier speculation (Russian perpetrator theory, U.S. perpetrator theory from Seymour Hersh articles) has receded as German investigation progressed. No official evidence of U.S. involvement has emerged.

Overall Assessment

Biden's statement represented a policy-based "end" to the pipeline, not a physical destruction "hint." As a "suggestion" of sabotage, it is weak and inconsistent with the timing and actual perpetrators (Ukrainian-side group identified by investigation). The German investigation proceeds professionally and evidence-based, with the Ukrainian-affiliated perpetrator theory being most prominent. However, complete "state-level orders" and involvement of higher-level officials (President Zelenskyy, etc.) remain debatable and subject to ongoing arguments.

Because the incident is geopolitically sensitive with significant information warfare and speculation, consulting primary sources (German prosecutor statements, court records) based on the latest information is appropriate. As of September 2026, trials remain ongoing.