Danish authorities have detected three leaks from Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which reach from Russia all the way to Germany. According to the Danish prime minister, those leaks were caused intentionally.
Two leaks in Nord Stream pipeline were found to the north-east of Bornholm Island, and another leak was found on Nord Stream 2 pipeline to the south-east of this island.
The leaks in Nord Stream were found in Danish and Swedish territorial waters, whereas the leak in Nord Stream 2 was found in Danish territorial waters exclusively.
Neither of the two pipelines are in use at the moment. This is why these incidents will not affect gas supplies to Europe, officials say.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen believes the gas leaks were intentional, not a result of an accident.
«It is now the clear assessment by authorities that these are deliberate actions. It was not an accident,» Frederiksen told journalists. «There is no information yet to indicate who may be behind this action.»
Ukrainian President’s Office head Mikhailo Podolyak, meanwhile, says the accident with Nord Stream pipeline was a terrorist attack planned by Russia. According to him, this way Russia wants to cause panic in the European Union before the winter season.
“Gas leak” from NS-1 is nothing more that a terrorist attack planned by Russia and an act of aggression towards EU. ?? wants to destabilize economic situation in Europe and cause pre-winter panic. The best response and security investment — tanks for ??. Especially German ones…
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) September 27, 2022
He used the opportunity to turn to Ukraine’s partners, especially Germany, with a request for more military aid.
Swedish and Danish seismology observers registered two powerful underwater explosions before the leaks from Nord Stream gas pipelines were discovered.
Copenhagen predicts the leaks from the pipelines that were no longer in use but still full of gas, will continue for at least a week until the methane gas remaining in the pipelines runs out,
said Danish Minister of Climate and Energy.
He also confirmed information from seismology experts, which states that there were explosions observed on Nord Stream 2 pipeline north-east of Bornholm Island at 02:03 a.m. on 26 September and then another explosion on Nord Stream pipeline to the north-east of the island at 19:03 p.m. on the same day.
Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs has also made a statement that Nord Stream is sabotage and is classified as the most serious security and environmental incident in the Baltic Sea.
On Twitter the minister voiced solidarity with Denmark, adding that Latvia is prepared to provide support in the investigation.
Sabotage on Nordstream I and II pipelines must be classified as most serious security and environmental incident in the Baltic Sea. #Latvia stands in solidarity with #Denmark and is ready support investigation in any way we can. Seems that we enter new phase of hybrid war
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) September 27, 2022