More evidence has emerged that Ukraine was responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline bombing that crippled Europe’s energy infrastructure last year. Germany in particular has suffered as a result of actions by their “allies” in Ukraine.
While many have suspected Ukraine and/or the United States of being behind the terrorist attack, initial corporate media and official government sources pointed fingers at Russia. This was ludicrous prima facie, but that narrative persisted until the story died. Only then did evidence begin emerging that Ukraine was behind the attack all along.
Washington Post broke the story Saturday. Here’s a recap generated by Discern Reporter:
According to officials in Ukraine, Europe, and several other sources familiar with the covert operation, a senior Ukrainian military officer with strong ties to the country’s intelligence services played a crucial role in the bombing of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline last year. This officer’s involvement provides the most direct evidence to date linking Ukraine’s military and security leadership to a controversial act of sabotage that has sparked multiple criminal investigations. The attack, which U.S. and Western officials have deemed a dangerous assault on Europe’s energy infrastructure, has strained diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
The officer in question is Roman Chervinsky, a 48-year-old decorated colonel who served in Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces. According to sources familiar with the matter, Chervinsky acted as the coordinator of the Nord Stream operation. He managed logistics and support for a six-person team that used false identities to rent a sailboat and employed deep-sea diving equipment to place explosive charges on the gas pipelines.
On September 26, 2022, three explosions occurred, causing significant damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that stretch from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The attack left only one gas link intact as winter approached.
It is important to note that Chervinsky did not act alone nor did he plan the operation. He took orders from higher-ranking Ukrainian officials who reported to General Valery Zaluzhny, the country’s top military officer. Ukraine has been involved in various secretive operations against Russian forces in the past, but the Nord Stream attack targeted civilian infrastructure that provides energy to millions of people in Europe. This attack caused Ukraine to face allegations of undermining a project involving Western energy companies that had invested billions of dollars. The Ukrainian government has not responded to requests for comment on Chervinsky’s participation.
Chervinsky’s role highlights the complex dynamics and internal rivalries within Ukraine’s wartime government. The intelligence and military establishment often clashes with the political leadership in Kyiv. Prior to the Nord Stream attack, Chervinsky was focused on resistance activity in areas of Ukraine occupied by Russia. He reported to Major General Viktor Hanushchak, who communicated directly with Zaluzhny.
Given Chervinsky’s extensive experience in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency and the Security Service (SBU), he was well-suited for the covert mission aimed at concealing Ukraine’s involvement. In his statement to The Washington Post and Der Spiegel, Chervinsky denied any role in the sabotage of the pipelines, attributing such speculations to Russian propaganda. He emphasized that he has dedicated his life to defending Ukraine and described the current charges against him related to a different operation as baseless.
The involvement of Chervinsky in the Nord Stream attack contradicts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public denials of country involvement. It appears that the operation was designed to keep Zelensky uninformed, with key planning and execution elements directed by Zaluzhny. Official intelligence reporting suggests that Zelensky was unaware of the operation. Chervinsky has accused Zelensky’s close adviser, Andriy Yermak, of spying for Russia and criticized the administration’s handling of the country’s preparedness for Russia’s invasion.
The U.S. has privately expressed concerns to Ukrainian intelligence and military officials about launching attacks that risk provoking Russia’s escalation of the war. Despite this, Ukraine has proceeded with certain operations. The Netherlands’ military intelligence agency, the MIVD, received information in June 2022 suggesting that Ukraine might be planning an attack on Nord Stream. The CIA relayed to Zaluzhny the U.S.’ opposition to such an operation, and it was believed that the plan had been called off. However, the attack was later carried out, with key elements of the original plan remaining unchanged.
Chervinsky’s supporters have appeared in court to defend him, with some wearing T-shirts featuring his face and the #FREECHERVINSKY hashtag. They view him as a symbol of the Ukrainian military’s willingness to make difficult choices for the country’s survival. However, Chervinsky remains in a Kyiv jail on charges of abusing his power in relation to a separate operation.
The involvement of a Ukrainian military officer in the Nord Stream bombing operation sheds light on the complex dynamics within Ukraine’s military and security establishment. While this affidavit contains new information about the specific role Chervinsky played in the attack, it is important to note that the Ukrainian government has not responded to questions regarding his participation. The ongoing investigations and legal proceedings will determine the final outcome of these allegations.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
