I wouldn’t presume to know if destruction of the pipeline is justified if you look at it from Russian perspective, if they are responsible, but I can volunteer a few motives why they might be:
- an attempt to introduce a force majeure factor into any future contract disagreements
- an attempt at escalating the seriousness of threats, signalling “we aren’t backing down”
- an attempt to drive a wedge between allies by implicating a sabotage behind ones backs. US vs Germany etc.
… or a little of all of the above.
One of the key strategies employed by Russia in the conflict - is a periodic display of belligerence bordering on unhingement. I think Russia being behind it fits the MO.
Now, that I read your post in more detail, it's an argument for why Russia might have done it. OK. You could have made that a lot more clear.
People say “but the gas companies” but that’s just an immature conspiracy fairy tale that projects far, far too much power into the hands of but one corporate constituency among many.
The simple answer is that Russia did it. And since gas was never coming back online anyway might as well blow it up and cause chaos. It also helped further made sure that Russian energy companies wouldn’t go behind Putin’s back thinking if they depose him they can sell oil again.