Thanks

Investigative journalism is teamwork. This book would not have been possible without the support of numerous colleagues.

Our special thanks go to our collaborators James Reed and Philip Stumpenhagen.

James Reed brought an exceptionally deep knowledge of the pipeline attack and its masterminds to the investigation. He analyzed a wealth of Ukrainian interviews and media reports, conducted confidential conversations with informants, and traveled with us to Kyiv to meet key figures behind the events. During the writing process, he provided us with precise pointers and astute assessments.

Philip Stumpenhagen not only played a key role in structuring our extensive collection of material and keeping track of the research. He also conducted independent research, carried out interviews, and compiled dossiers that were invaluable for writing the individual chapters. Of particular note is a background conversation with a high-ranking political source who opened up to him in a remarkable way.

We are also deeply grateful to Iryna Matviyishyn. She organized meetings in Kyiv and accompanied them as an interpreter. Beyond the trip, she supported us with translations, fact-checks, advice, and contextual assessments. In addition to her high professionalism, we were particularly impressed by her clear, often uncomfortable perspective on the political situation, which lastingly sharpened our own point of view.

Great thanks are also due to Boris Karthäuser and Guido Rudolphi. Their precise and often meticulous online research uncovered information that would otherwise have remained hidden from us.

We would also like to extend special thanks to Joby Warrick, who despite working on his next book found the time to help us gain access to important contacts in the United States — doors that would not have opened without his support.

We further thank Polina Slyusar and Tetiana Filatova for their help with translations, our editor Christof Blome for his patient guidance of the project, and attorney Konstantin Wegner for the legal review. Our thanks also go to Felicitas von Lovenberg, Catharina Stohldreier, and all the staff at Piper Verlag for their warm reception and trust in this book.

Finally, our thanks go to the numerous sources who, for understandable reasons, wish and need to remain anonymous. The revelations in this book are based on their information and documents.

Our research also builds on previously published work by colleagues in the EU, the United States, and Ukraine. Of particular note are the award-winning investigation "How a Ukrainian Covert Unit Blew Up Nord Stream" by Der Spiegel and "The Adventures of a Ukrainian Intelligence Officer" by The New Yorker.

Oliver Schröm & Ulrich Thiele