The destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline between Germany and Russia was a "good thing for the whole civilized world", a Ukrainian suspected of being involved in the sabotage operation has claimed. (Photo by Swedish Coast Guard via Getty Images)

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Destruction of Nord Stream ‘a good thing’, Ukrainian sabotage suspect claims

Speaking to the German media, retired Ukrainian secret service agent Roman Tschervinskyj maintained that he was innocent of any involvement in the attack, although said it being rendered inoperable was something to be celebrated.

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The destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline between Germany and Russia was a “good thing for the whole civilised world”, a Ukrainian suspected of being involved in the sabotage operation has claimed.

Speaking to the German media, retired Ukrainian secret service agent Roman Tschervinskyj maintained that he was innocent of any involvement in the attack, although said it being rendered inoperable was something to be celebrated.

“I think the result of this operation is positive. It was a good thing for the whole civilized world,” said Tschervinskyj, who is currently under house arrest over the incident in Kyiv.

“[Germany] no longer has to fear blackmail from Russia. This game has now ended.”

The agent also appeared to criticise Germany’s ongoing investigation into the attack, saying that because it occurred in international waters, the country’s authorities were effectively working for Moscow.

“The German law enforcement authorities are therefore investigating in Russia’s interest,” he said, before citing Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s claim that those behind the construction of the pipeline in the first place should “simply apologise” for it having ever existed “and remain silent”.

He added that Germany should also be happy that the operation did not directly kill anyone, describing any costs incurred by the country and its citizens as insignificant in the face of suffering in Ukraine.

“Look at how many of our guys have to die on the front every day,” he said, adding that the loss of the pipeline had cut Russia off from billions of euros in revenue every year.