"Ukra Plans to Blast Russian-Russian Gas Pipeline in Turkiye"

Ukrainian authorities reportedly planned to blast the TurkStream gas pipeline, which transports Russian natural gas to Turkiye and elsewhere in 2022.

Based on statements made by Ukrainian figures involved in the bombing, German media Der Spiegel reported that then-Ukrainian commander Valery Zaluzhny was briefed on the Baltic Nord Stream bombing plan and suggested that it be detonated in the Black Sea, where TurkStream passes.

He said Ukrainian authorities had planned to detonate Russian gas pipes from April 2022, but did not eventually carry out the detonation of the TurkStream.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to the report by telling Tas that Putin knew of the TurkStream bombing plan, saying it was exactly in line with what the president had said in the past.

The TurkStream, officially opened in 2020, is a gas pipeline that departs from Russia's Anapa east of Crimea and connects across the Black Sea to southeastern Europe, including Turkiye and Greece.

Both Nord Stream and TurkStream have increased Europe's dependence on Russian energy, raising concerns that it could be politically available to Russia.