Ukrainian plans allegedly included sabotage of TurkStream pipeline, media report say

New reports from German media outlet Der Spiegel reveal that former Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi suggested expanding the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage plan to target the TurkStream pipeline as well.

This development, codenamed “Diameter,” reportedly aimed to sabotage multiple gas pipelines simultaneously but ultimately failed in its attempt to target TurkStream.

Focus shifts to Nord Stream pipelines

According to sources cited by Der Spiegel, initial discussions among Ukrainian operatives included a dual operation targeting both Nord Stream and TurkStream also known as Turkish Stream. However, after setbacks, efforts were concentrated solely on Nord Stream, leading to the explosions in September 2022.

These incidents disrupted critical gas supply routes from Russia to Europe and intensified geopolitical tensions.

TurkStream’s strategic importance

The Turkish Stream pipeline, operational since 2020, transports Russian natural gas through the Black Sea to Türkiye and onward to Southern Europe. With an annual capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters, the pipeline is a key energy infrastructure for regional and European markets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously noted attempts to attack the pipeline, attributing them to drones launched from Ukrainian ports.

Geopolitical ramifications of the Nord Stream sabotage

The Nord Stream explosions remain under investigation, with multiple countries labeling them acts of deliberate sabotage. Der Spiegel’s report identifies a Ukrainian operative, named Taucher Wolodymyr with ties to international intelligence agencies as responsible for the attacks.

Experts point to the failed TurkStream attack as a reflection of heightened vulnerabilities in energy infrastructure. While Nord Stream‘s destruction captured global attention, attempts at TurkStream highlight broader risks in energy corridors.