European countries are investigating possible sabotage tied to leaks in two Nord Stream pipelines, which transport gas from Russia to Germany.
The suspicious leaks in two gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea raise concerns about possible sabotage and prompted the authorities in Germany, Denmark and Sweden to investigate.
Sweden and Denmark have launched a preliminary probe into possible sabotage since the leaks were reported inside the exclusive economic zone of the two Nordic countries.
Denmark has raised its security alerts at electricity and gas facilities around the country after a Danish Defense Command released a video that showed a swirling mass of methane bubbling up onto the surface of the Baltic Sea. “Nord Stream 1 has two leaks northeast of Bornholm, Nord Stream 2 has one leak south of Dueodde. The leaks were discovered by the Danish Defence F-16 interceptor response unit,” the Danish defense agency said.
Denmark’s prime minister blamed sabotage, without citing evidence. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that “It is now the clear assessment by authorities that these are deliberate actions. It was not an accident.” However, she added that “There is no information yet to indicate who may be behind this action”. The Danish authorities do not see the incidents as a direct military threat against the country.
German officials reportedly believe that Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia to Europe have been sabotaged. German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the leaks were due to targeted attacks on the infrastructure and that “they were not caused by natural occurrences or events or material fatigue.”
Ukraine accuses Russia of pipeline terror attack
Ukraine has accused Russia of causing leaks in two major gas pipelines to Europe in what it described as a “terrorist attack”.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said that the “Gas leak from NS-1 [Nord Stream 1] is nothing more than a terrorist attack planned by Russia and an act of aggression towards the EU. Russia wants to destabilize the economic situation in Europe and cause pre-winter panic.”
Meanwhile, Russia said earlier that it was “extremely concerned” about the gas pipeline leaks.
The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline systems are the largest for transporting natural-gas from Russia to Europe.
