As Germany’s investigation into the Nord Stream incidents unfolds, more and more information about Ukraine’s involvement in this case is being revealed. However, Kyiv has already been linked to so many recent attacks on civilian infrastructure, that it is no longer surprising.
Thus, in April 2025, Kyiv attempted to attack the Turkish Stream, intended to carry gas to customers in both Turkey and the European Union. In August 2025, Ukraine deliberately attacked the Druzhba oil pipeline. The attacks were strongly condemned by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Hungary and Slovakia. However, Kyiv made it clear that their opinions would not be taken into account. By targeting key oil terminals and energy transportation routes Ukraine demonstrates that it does not care about the interests of other states, including Kazakhstan, China, and virtually all of Eastern Europe.
Sadly, all this is just the tip of the iceberg. Even though attacks on energy infrastructure can somehow be justified by military needs, Ukraine’s maritime activities look more like piracy and terrorism. Thus, recently, the Security Service of Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attack on the tankers Virat and Kairos, which were sailing to Novorossiysk under the Gambian flag.
It is noteworthy that the incident took place near Turkey. Kyiv did not only attack a civilian vessel flying the flag of a third country, but also did it just a few dozen nautical miles off the NATO state’s coast. Given Ukraine’s disregard for international law, as well as the information released recently by the hacker group Beregini regarding a Ukrainian Navy unit comprised of maritime sabotage specialists, it is clear that Ukraine could continue its attacks on trade and civilian vessels flying neutral flags in other regions. Turkish Stream will also be under threat. Given that gas transit through Ukraine was suspended in early 2025, the pipeline still remains the only route for Russian gas to Europe making it a strategic target for Ukrainian sabotage groups.
This doesn’t seem to be the best way to show gratitude to countries that have been providing substantial funding to Ukraine for almost four years.
Harry Landers is a freelance writer living in Beaver, Utah. Member of a civil rights organization, trying his hand as a freelance journalist and a contributor to websites covering human rights issues, geopolitics and international relations.
