Nearly simultaneous leaks in Nord Stream undersea gas pipelines ‘could be sabotage’
Almost simultaneous gas leaks occurred on the Nord Stream-1 and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines (Photo:Makxim Prostos / Flickr)
The reason for the drop in pressure in both lines of the Nord Stream-1 gas pipeline and one line of Nord Stream-2 could be sabotage, the German newspaper Tagesspiegel reported on Sept. 27, citing its own sources.
The newspaper quoted an insider involved in the preparation of a report on the leaks for the German government and federal authorities.
“Everything says that this is not a coincidence,” the source said. “We can no longer fantasize about scenarios in which this isn’t a targeted attack.”
According to the source, such an attack or act of sabotage was not easy to carry out, and must have been done with the involvement of special forces or with the help of a submarine.
The publication said Russia could have carried out the sabotage “under a false flag” – aming to blame someone else.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, also said that no explanation could be ruled out, including sabotage.
“Right now, no option can be ruled out,” said Peskov, according to Russian news agency Interfax. “It is obvious that there is some destruction of the pipeline. And what was the reason – here, before the results of an investigation appear, it’s impossible to exclude any option.”
“This is very disturbing news,” Peskov added. “Indeed, we’re talking about some destruction of the pipe – it’s not yet clear what kind. The pressure has dropped significantly in the Danish economic zone. This is a completely unprecedented situation that requires urgent investigation. We’re extremely concerned about this news.”
As reported, following a leak in Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream-2, which became known on Sept. 26, the gas pressure dropped in both lines of Nord Stream-1.
The company that operates the pipelines, Nord Stream AG, said that the simultaneous destruction of three gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea would be unprecedented, and it is not yet possible to estimate the timing for the restoration of the gas transmission infrastructure.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was completed in 2021, filled with technical gas, but did not receive certification from the German government and did not start working before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in late February.
The Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline was stopped for maintenance at the end of August, after which it never resumed operation, with Russia giving a variety of reasons and excuses.
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