Gas leaks in Russian pipelines fan sabotage fears
European countries struggled to investigate mysterious leaks in two Russian gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea.
A warning about the leaks was issued by the Maritime Authority in Sweden. The leaks come against the backdrop of a leak on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that prompted curbs on shipping in the nearby area.
Both pipelines have been a key bone of contention in an energy tussle between Moscow and Europe that has exacerbated supply worries.
Russia drastically cut flows from its Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in a response to punitive sanctions imposed by Western nations.
European countries have been scrambling to keep up with soaring gas and energy prices. Kremlin has called it an attack on Europe’s infrastructure and blamed Russia for it.
Poland’s prime minister has blamed sabotage, while the Danish premier said it could not be ruled out.
“Today we faced an act of sabotage, we don’t know all the details of what happened, but we see clearly that it’s an act of sabotage,” said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
Denmark’s armed forces released a video that showed bubbles boiling up to the sea surface. The largest gas leak has caused a disturbance of well over 1 km in diameter.
Both the pipelines were not pumping gas to Europe at the time the leaks were found. The leaks are on the process of being contained but the presence of methane gas poses a risk of explosions.
This comes against the backdrop of the disruptions due to Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, but the incidents will wreck any remaining expectations that Europe might receive gas via Nord Stream 1 before winter.
The pipeline operator also said the damage was “unprecedented”.
