The only anchor in reality appears to be Biden suggesting that they knew how to take it out which seems like a pretty weak place to build a large story.
What I find particularly odd is that this entire thing appears to be based on a single, unnamed source "with direct knowledge of the operational planning".
I disagree - there is no credible motive here for Russia and, in fact, the outcome was directly opposed to every outcome they are, or were trying, to achieve.
Not only do I, as a US citizen, believe that the US perpetrated this act but further: I believe it is an overtly hostile action against EU citizens and, particularly, Germans, who will suffer the most economically.
EU states are now buying US natural gas like we always wanted them to. How much pain and suffering were we willing to inflict to make that happen ?
Besides, things are going on pretty okay. Electricity prices are stabilizing and Europe will eventually become greener as well. No matter who did it, blowing up the pipeline was a good thing.
Weekly snapshot: Russian fossil fuel exports 16 to 22 January 2023:
* The week of 16 to 22 January 2023, the EU was the largest importer of Russian fossil fuels.
* The EU imported pipeline gas, oil products and LNG, as well as crude oil via pipeline or rail.
* The top five EU importer countries last week were the Netherlands, Slovakia, Germany, Belgium and Italy. [1]
[1] https://energyandcleanair.org/weekly-snapshot-russian-fossil...
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/eu-gas-suppl...