Germany suspects the Nord Stream gas pipeline system was damaged by an act of sabotage, in what would amount to a major escalation in the standoff between Russia and Europe.
According to a German security official, the evidence points to a violent act rather than a technical issue. Swedish seismologists detected two explosions in the area on Monday, when leaks appeared almost simultaneously in the Baltic Sea.
“It’s hard to imagine that these are coincidences,” Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s prime minister, told reporters Tuesday. “We can’t rule out sabotage.” Russia has been squeezing energy supplies to Europe for months, engaging in a cat-and-mouse game as it tries to exert maximum pressure on Ukraine’s allies. Europe has responded by filling up gas stores and trying to source alternative supplies. For now, it looks like those efforts will be enough to get Europe through this winter, though questions remain over the following one. The bloc got about 40% of its pipeline gas from Russia before the war, a figure that now stands at about 9%.
“We have seen that it is part of the Russian war strategy to play actively with the gas market,” said Patrick Graichen, deputy to Germany’s economy minister. “Just as Nordstream 1 was shut off under murky circumstances, Putin is good for anything.” The gas leaks also pose environmental and safety risks. On Monday, the Danish Maritime Authority advised vessels to avoid areas south and southeast of Bornholm island after detecting several gas leaks in the vicinity of the pipelines.
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'Unprecedented' damage to Nord Stream pipeline in Baltic Sea raises suspicion | CBC NewsA series of unusual leaks on two natural gas pipelines running from Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany triggered concerns about possible sabotage Tuesday, with Swedish officials indicating underwater seismic activity may have occurred as a result.
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'We can't rule out sabotage': Nord Stream gas pipelines spring three leaksGerman security official cites evidence of a violent act. Read more here
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'Unprecedented' damage to Nord Stream pipeline in Baltic Sea raises suspicion | CBC NewsA series of unusual leaks on two natural gas pipelines running from Russia under the Baltic Sea to Germany triggered concerns about possible sabotage Tuesday, with Swedish officials indicating underwater seismic activity may have occurred as a result.
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