Sweden Confirms Explosives Were Used To Destroy The Nord Stream Pipelines

Danish Defense shows the gas leaking at Nord Stream 2 seen from the Danish F-16 interceptor on Bornholm, Denmark on Sept. 27, 2022. 

NBC: Traces of explosives found at Nord Stream pipelines, confirming 'gross sabotage,' Sweden says 

European officials had previously blamed Russia for the blasts, accusing the Kremlin of starting an energy war to damage international support for Ukraine. 

 Investigators found traces of explosives at the site of the damaged Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic sea, confirming that the pipelines had been subject to “gross sabotage,” the Swedish Security Service said Friday. 

In a statement, prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said that investigators had seized a number of “foreign objects” at the site of the damaged pipelines, which showed traces of explosive residue after analysis. 

The statement did not expand on how the explosives might have got there and said an investigation was ongoing.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: No surprises here. But No comment from Sweden on who they believe is responsible for this attack.

Sweden Confirms Explosives Were Used To Destroy The Nord Stream Pipelines  

Nord Stream leaks confirmed as sabotage, Sweden says -- Reuters  

Traces of explosives found at site of Russian pipeline leaks, Sweden says -- CNBC  

Sweden finds traces of explosives near damaged Nord Stream pipeline: 'Gross sabotage' -- FOX News  

Explosive traces found at Nord Stream pipeline indicate ‘gross sabotage,’ Sweden says -- CNN  

Explosive residue found at site of Nord Stream explosions -- Axios

Two ‘Dark Ships’ With Their Trackers Turned Of Passed By Nord Stream Pipelines A Few Days Before Explosions

A gas leak causes bubbles on the surface of the water at Sea in Sweden on September 29, 2022. Swedish Coast Guard / Handout/Anadolu Agency  

Wired: ‘Dark Ships’ Emerge From the Shadows of the Nord Stream Mystery  

Satellite monitors discovered two vessels with their trackers turned off in the area of the pipeline prior to the suspected sabotage in September. 

The first gas leaks on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea were detected in the early hours of September 26, pouring up to 400,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere. Officials immediately suspected sabotage of the international pipeline. 

New analysis seen by WIRED shows that two large ships, with their trackers off, appeared around the leak sites in the days immediately before they were detected. 

According to the analysis by satellite data monitoring firm SpaceKnow, the two “dark ships,” each measuring around 95 to 130 meters long, passed within several miles of the Nord Stream 2 leak sites. 

“We have detected some dark ships, meaning vessels that were of a significant size, that were passing through that area of interest,” says Jerry Javornicky, the CEO and cofounder of SpaceKnow. 

“They had their beacons off, meaning there was no information about their movement, and they were trying to keep their location information and general information hidden from the world,” Javornicky adds.  

Read more .... 

WNU editor: It looks like one or both of those two ships were responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline attack. I am willing to bet a lot of people/agencies are going through satellite pictures in the weeks leading to this attack.

Two ‘Dark Ships’ With Their Trackers Turned Of Passed By Nord Stream Pipelines A Few Days Before Explosions

2 'dark ships' were spotted near the Nord Stream pipeline leaks days before the explosions were detected, satellite data analysis firm says -- Insider

‘Dark Ships’ Spotted In The Nord Stream Mystery -- Marine Insight  

Two ‘dark ships’ with trackers turned off passed by Nord Streams few days before leaks, Wired reports -- The New Voice of Ukraine

Russian Defense Ministry Says The British Navy Was Involved In Damaging The Nord Stream Pipelines

Russia has previously blamed the West for the explosions last month that ruptured the Russian-built Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines on the bed of the Baltic Sea. Photograph: AP  

RT: British navy involved in Nord Stream 2 'terrorist attack' – Russia 

UK forces participated in an operation which damaged Europe's energy security, Moscow claims Units of the British Navy were involved in a "terrorist attack", which destroyed the key Nord Stream gas pipelines, the Russian Defence Ministry alleged on Saturday. 

Writing on its official Telegram channel, the ministry alleged that Royal Navy operatives “took part in planning, supporting and implementing” the plot to blow up the infrastructure in September. It did not provide any direct evidence to support its assertion.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace flew 10 days ago to Washington DC to meet with his US counterpart to discuss security issues in private that were "beyond belief" .... Ukraine war: Mysterious defence secretary trip to Washington amid fears of Russian escalation (SKY News). 

It was also said that this trip was necessary because there was a fear in London that "U.S. - U.K. communications were compromised". 

You do not have to be a genius to infer from this admission that it looks like Russian intelligence has penetrated the U.K. security establishment and government. 

So is the evidence that the Kremlin has implicating the UK in the Nord stream attack? I do not know. But I do know that Moscow is convinced that the the UK is responsible, and if they are responsible, it would tell me that the Kremlin also believes that the US "green-lighted" it. 

As to the bigger question. Will Russia retaliate? 

Unfortunately yes, and I predict it will probably be on a critical piece of infrastructure. 

I also expect severe warnings from both London and Washington in the next day or two warning Russia on the consequences if they retaliate on the West's infrastructure.

  Russian Defense Ministry Says The British Navy Was Involved In Destroying The Nord Stream Pipelines  

Russian MoD: UK Royal Navy Officials Involved in Nord Stream Terrorist Act -- Sputnik  

Russia-Ukraine war live: UK says Russia peddling false claims over gas pipeline blasts -- The Guardian  

Russia says UK navy blew up Nord Stream, London denies involvement -- Reuters  

Russia Accuses U.K. of Being Involved in Nord Stream Explosions -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Nord Stream Explosions: Russia Says U.K. Carried Out 'Terrorist Attack' -- Newsweek  

Russia blames British Navy for explosions that damaged Nord Stream pipelines -- News 360  

Britain rejects Russian claims over Nord Stream explosion -- RTE  

Russian defence ministry says British navy ‘blew up’ Nord Stream gas pipelines -- Evening Standard  

Russia accuses British navy personnel of blowing-up Nord Stream gas pipelines -- Irish Times 

Russia accuses UK's Royal Navy of carrying out Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions -- Mirror

First Images Of Nord Stream One Pipeline Damage Captured In Underwater Footage

 

Daily Mail: Extraordinary first images emerge of mangled Nord Stream: 165ft of blown-up Baltic Sea gas pipe is 'either missing or buried under the seabed' after it was attacked with 'extreme force' 

* An explosion on September 26 caused four leaks in the Baltic Sea pipeline 

* Two leaks were in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's 

* Investigators have been working to ascertain the cause of the damage 

* Swedish investigators said earlier this month evidence suggested sabotage 

* Footage released today showed 165 feet of pipeline was destroyed or buried 

* Danish investigators also said today 'powerful explosions' damaged the pipes 

* Fingers have been pointed at Russia after Moscow cut gas supplies to Europe 

Extraordinary first images of a mangled Nord Stream pipeline have emerged, three weeks after it was blown up 'with extreme force' in a suspected act of sabotage. 

Footage, released on Tuesday, showed at least 165 feet of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was destroyed or buried under the seabed, following an explosion on September 26 - assumed by many to have been a Russian attack. 

Release of the images came as Danish police said 'powerful explosions' were behind damage to the two gas pipelines (Nord Stream 1 and 2) in the Danish part of the Baltic Sea. 

On October 6, Swedish investigators said their own initial investigations had come to a similar conclusion. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Swedish journalists, together with Norwegian experts, photographed and filmed this destroyed 50-metre section of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline with underwater drones. 

As for the investigation itself. Sweden will not release their findings (link here), and a German minister said over the weekend the government knows who was responsible, but will not reveal that information due to "national security"!?!?!?!? 

 First Images Of Nord Stream One Pipeline Damage Captured In Underwater Footage  

Nord Stream blast 'blew away 50 metres of pipe' -- BBC  

Nord Stream 1: first underwater images reveal devastating damage -- The Guardian  

Nord Stream Ruptures Revealed as Europe Grapples With Gas Plan -- Reuters  

First Images Of Blown Up Nord Stream Reveals 50 Meter Missing Section Of Pipeline -- Zero Hedge  

'Powerful explosions' behind Nord Stream leaks, Danish police say -- Reuters 

‘Powerful explosions’ triggered major gas leak on Russian pipelines, Danish police say -- CNBC  

Danes confirm ‘extensive damage” to Baltic Sea pipelines -- The Hill  

Denmark confirms Nord Stream 'explosions' caused damage -- DW

Sweden Will Not Share The REsults Of Their Investigation On The Nord Stream Pipeline Attacks. Will Not Participate In Joint EU Investigation

A gas leak from Nord stream 1 is seen in the Swedish economic zone in the Baltic Sea in this picture taken from the Swedish Coast Guard aircraft on September 28, 2022. Swedish Coast Guard/Handout via TT News Agency/via REUTERS/File Photo  

Reuters: Sweden Shuns Formal Joint Investigation of Nord Stream Leak, Citing National Security 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Sweden has rejected plans to set up a formal joint investigation team with Denmark and Germany to look into the recent ruptures of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, a Swedish prosecutor investigating the leaks, said.

Mats Ljungqvist, the prosecutor involved in Sweden's criminal investigation into the Nord Stream leaks in the Swedish economic zone, said Sweden was already co-operating with Denmark and Germany on the matter. 

He said Sweden had rejected the proposal for a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) from judicial co-operation agency Eurojust because a such a joint investigation would include legal agreements under which Sweden would have to share information from its own investigation that it deemed confidential.  

Read more ....  

Update: Sweden Refuses To Share Nord Stream Attack Data, Opts Out Of Joint EU Investigation (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: It looks like Sweden has found something in their preliminary investigation that they do not want to share with anyone in a public forum.

Sweden Refuses To Share The Findings Of Their Investigation Into The Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion With Russia

The disturbance in the water above the gas leak, in the Baltic Sea, is shown above on Sept. 29, 2022. There were two leaks off Sweden's coast following the suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that carry Russian natural gas to Europe. (Rune Dyrholm/Armed Forces of Denmark via AP)  

FOX News/AP: Sweden's prime minister refuses to share pipeline probe results with Russia 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West, including the US, of attacking the pipelines 

Sweden’s prime minister says that her country cannot share with Russia details from its probe into last month's underwater explosions that ruptured two key gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, citing confidentiality surrounding the investigation. 

"In Sweden there is secrecy around preliminary investigation and that also applies in this case," Magdalena Andersson said of the blast and ruptures that happened in international waters off Sweden's Baltic coastline but within the country's exclusive economic zone.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: It is not Russia that they want to keep details of their investigation secret. They want to keep their findings away from all of us. Russia is just their excuse. 

Sweden Refuses To Share The Findings Of Their Investigation Into The Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion With Russia 

Sweden won't share Nord Stream investigation findings with Russia - PM -- Reuters  

Sweden Boots Russia From Nord Stream Investigation -- OilPrice.com  

Sweden Refuses To Share Results Of Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion Investigation With Russia -- Summit News  

Sweden will not share Nord Stream probe findings with Russia – PM -- RT 

Sweden rejects Russian demand to share Nord Stream leaks probe findings -- CGTN

Russia Claims One Of Its Nord Stream 2 Pipelines Was Not Sabotaged In Last Week's Attack (Update)

 

OilPrice.com: Russia Claims Natural Gas Could Still Flow Through Nord Stream 2 

Russia could restart the supply of natural gas to Germany and its neighbors via an undamaged section of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Russian media.

“Unfortunately, due to sabotage, a string [of Nord Stream 2] was damaged, and an investigation is required to make further decisions about the fate of the string,” Novak told RIA Novosti. “

As for the second string, it is ready, fully built, and if the necessary legal decisions are made by our European colleagues regarding certification and removal of restrictions, I believe that Russia could provide adequate supplies through this string of the gas pipeline in a short time,” he explained.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: As I had mentioned in a previous post. f true, this is excellent news. But what I find strange is on how much the main stream media is ignoring this story. Is it because it destroys the media narrative that Russia is responsible for this attack? Or is it because the EU does not want the public to have a reason to protest for the opening of this pipeline as energy supplies decline and costs increase. Either way the lack of coverage of this news is perplexing.

Sweden Retrieves Evidence At Baltic Sea Pipeline Explosion Sites. Confirms Suspicions That Detonations Damaged Nord Stream Pipelines

A gas leak from Nord stream 1 is seen in the Swedish economic zone in the Baltic Sea in this picture taken from the Swedish Coast Guard aircraft on September 28  

CNBC: Sweden says investigation into Russian pipeline leaks strengthens suspicion of ‘gross sabotage’ 

* Sweden’s Security Service said the investigation found there had been detonations at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, which caused “extensive damage” to the pipelines. 

* The European Union suspects sabotage, particularly as the incident comes amid a bitter energy standoff between Brussels and Moscow. 

* Russia has denied the Kremlin was behind the suspected attack, calling such accusations “stupid.” 

Sweden’s national security service on Thursday said a crime scene investigation into the gas leaks from two underwater pipelines connecting Russia to Germany “strengthened the suspicions of gross sabotage.” 

Sweden’s Security Service said the investigation found there had been detonations at the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Swedish exclusive economic zone, which caused “extensive damage” to the pipelines. 

It added that “certain seizures have been made,” without offering further details, and that these would now be reviewed and analyzed.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Moscow has been told that they will not be invited in the investigation on the Nord Stream pipeline explosions .... Moscow notified it will not take part in Nord Stream pipeline accident probe — Kremlin (TASS). More here .... Kremlin says Russia not invited to Nord Stream investigation (Reuters). 

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the reason why Sweden and Denmark have not included Russia in their probe on the Nord Stream pipeline attack is that — "they probably know who did it." .... Zakharova suggests Denmark, Sweden probably know pipeline saboteurs (Al Mayadeen English). 

Sweden Retrieves Evidence At Baltic Sea Pipeline Explosion Sites. Confirms Suspicions That Detonations Damaged Nord Stream Pipelines 

Sweden seizes evidence at Baltic Sea pipeline leak site -- AP  

Sweden Security Service Concludes Detonation Damaged Nord Stream -- Bloomberg  

Swedish police probe at Nord Stream leak site strengthens suspicion of gross sabotage -- Reuters  

Swedish investigative team finds 'detonations' damaged Nord Stream pipeline -- FOX News

Russia Says It Is Ready To Send Gas To The EU Through The Undamaged String Of Nord Stream 2

Unused pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline are stored on the site of the Port of Mukran, September 27, 2022, Lubmin, Germany. © Getty Images / Stefan Sauer/picture alliance  

RT: Russia ready to send gas to EU via Nord Stream 2 — Moscow 

Supplies are possible through the undamaged string of the pipeline, according to Russia’s deputy prime minister Russia is able to supply gas to Europe through a string of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that that was not damaged by the recent explosions, according to Deputy Prime Minister Aleksander Novak. 

The energy official described the blasts on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines as deliberate. “Unfortunately, due to sabotage, one string [of Nord Stream 2] was damaged, and an examination is required to make further decisions on the fate of the string,” Novak was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti news agency. 

“As for the second string, it is ready, fully built, and if the necessary legal decisions are made by our European colleagues regarding the certification and removal of restrictions, I think Russia could provide appropriate supplies through this string of the gas pipeline in a short time,” he said.  

Read more ....  

Update: Russia ready to supply gas to EU over undamaged Nord Stream 2 string — Deputy PM (TASS).  

WNU Editor: I was stunned when I heard this news. Is the Nord Stream 2 pipeline actually two pipelines? Are there redundancies that we do not know about? 

I will be updating this news when more information becomes available, because I am confident that by the end of the day many governments/news organizations/and interest groups will want a clarification from the Russian government. 

But if this is true, it looks like those who are tried to sabotage the pipelines did so with incomplete information.

Russia Foreign Minister On Nord Stream Sabotage: “EU Will Have To Face The Fact they Have Been Betrayed”

 

TASS: EU will have to recognize betrayal by allies — Russian MFA about Nord Stream emergency 

According to Maria Zakharova, someday the EU countries will have to admit that they were betrayed by their allies 

MOSCOW, October 5. /TASS/. The EU countries will have to face the truth and admit that they were betrayed by their allies in the situation involving the Nord Stream incidents, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel on Wednesday. 

She drew attention to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak’s statement that Russia was ready to supply gas through the undamaged Nord Stream 2 pipeline string.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The above weekly Russian Foreign Ministry briefing begins at 1:07:35.. English translation available.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's remarks reminds me of what a very good friend of mine told me once. People never learn until it hits their pocket-books. 

For Russia, these pipelines represent years of planning and work, $23 billion to build, and the expectation of almost a trillion dollars in revenues to Russia over the lifetime of this pipeline that is now lost forever. 

For Europe the loss and cost is even greater. Energy shortages. The astronomical cost to replace this energy. Economic dislocation/dis-industrialization. High inflation and a debt explosion that will cripple the budgets of governments/businesses/families. A social cost that is currently incalculable. 

Bottom line. 

This attack is easily going to cost Europe hundreds of billions of dollars, if not a trillion. 

So yes. The state actor(s) that did this, and the entire world outside of Canada and the U.S. know who that is, has betrayed the EU.

Denmark And Sweden Want Russia Excluded From The Investigation On Nord Stream

A gas leak in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is seen from the Danish F-16 interceptor in Bornholm, Denmark [Danish Defence Command/Forsvaret Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters]  

Sputnik: Kremlin: Moscow Alarmed by Idea of Excluding Russia From Investigation on Nord Stream 

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow is alarmed by the statements of Denmark and Sweden about the exclusion of Russia from the investigation of the situation of the incidents at the Nord Stream gas pipeline, the participation of the Russia should be mandatory, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. 

"So far, from the press conferences that were held in Denmark and Sweden we have heard such alarming statements that any cooperation with the Russian side is excluded. We will certainly wait for some clarifications on this; we believe, of course, that the participation of Russia in the inspection of damaged sites and in the investigation of what happened should be mandatory," Peskov told reporters, commenting on whether the ban of the Swedish coast guard on the movement of ships within a radius of 5 nautical miles from the accident on the pipeline will mean that this zone will be put pf reach for Gazprom and its contractors.  

Read more ....  

Update: Russia, Germany should participate in Nord Stream incident investigation — diplomat (TASS)  

WNU Editor: The U.S. foreign policy establishment also do not want Russia involved .... Russia Could Trouble Investigation Into Nord Stream Leaks (Foreign Policy).

Danish And Swedish Authorities Have Barred Nord Stream Operators From Inspecting The Damaged Pipelines

Gas leak at Nord Stream 2 as seen from the Danish F-16 interceptor on Bornholm, Denmark September 27, 2022. Danish Defence Command/Forsvaret Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS  

Reuters: Nord Stream operators: Authorities won't allow us to inspect damaged pipelines 

MOSCOW, Oct 4 (Reuters) - The operators of two Baltic Sea gas pipelines that linked Russia and Germany until they both sprang major leaks last week said they were unable to inspect the damaged sections because of restrictions imposed by Danish and Swedish authorities. 

Europe is investigating what caused three pipelines in the Nord Stream network to burst in an act of suspected sabotage near Swedish and Danish waters that Moscow quickly sought to pin on the West, suggesting the United States stood to gain. 

Nord Stream 2 AG, Switzerland-based operator of that gas pipeline, said on Tuesday it will examine the condition of the leaking pipelines once a police investigation of the "crime scene" is completed and a cordon is lifted.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: The reason being given on why the operators cannot examine their pipelines is that they do not have the right permits?!?!?!? .... Nord Stream operator reports it cannot inspect leaks due to lack of permits (News 360). And the news just get better. Once the paperwork has been forwarded, it will take 30 days (or more) before approval?!?!?!?

Watch Bloomberg's Hosts 'Short - Circuit' When Colombia Profesor Jeffrey Sachs Says US 'Probably' Behind Nord Stream Pipeline Attacks

 

WNU Editor: Heaven help those who go against the main stream media narrative. But Colombia Profesor Jeffrey Sachs is correct that all the people that he talks to around the world are convinced that the US is responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline attacks. I am getting the same response from all of my friends and contacts outside of Canada and the U.S.. After-all .... who benefits the most from this attack? And when you add in earlier promises made by President Biden and State Department official Victoria Nuland that the US would stop the Nord Stream pipelines if Russia invades Ukraine, the evidence is building. 

A prediction. We will eventually find out in the future on who was responsible for this attack. I give it two or three years when the truth comes out.

Update: Yup. If you go against the narrative, you must be influenced by the Kremlin .... U.S. podcasters spread Kremlin narratives on Nord Stream sabotage (Brookings).

U.S. Intelligence Points The Finger At Ukraine For Being Responsible In Destroying The Nord Stream Pipelines

Photo: Danish Defence / Handout / AFP 

 Spiegel: Attacks Expose Vulnerability of European Infrastructure 

The search for the perpetrators has begun following Monday's sabotage attack on the Nord Stream pipelines. Which countries could have been behind it, and how secure is Europe's critical infrastructure at the bottom of the sea? 

The route of the gas pipelines through the Baltic Sea could have been copied out of a cruise catalogue. From Ust-Luga near St. Petersburg, the route leads through the Gulf of Finland, then south past the Estonian island of Hiiumaa, past Gotland in Sweden, past Bornholm through Danish waters before approaching the German coast and ending in Lubmin in the eastern German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It's a route where you wouldn't typically expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, a region intended for comfortable vacations. A place where all was well. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: What caught my eye in the above Der Speigel report is this ....

.... The Germans were warned in summer by the CIA about a possible attack scenario on the Nord Stream pipelines. U.S. intelligence claimed to have intercepted Russian communications in which concerns were expressed about possible Ukrainian attacks on Western infrastructure. The Ukrainians allegedly tried to rent a boat in Sweden for this purpose. The CIA did not consider the scenario of a Ukrainian attack to be very credible, but the mere fact that the possibility of an attack on Western infrastructure was mentioned by the Russian side prompted the Americans to warn the Germans about the scenario. 

Is Ukraine responsible for launching an attack that destroyed Nord stream 1 and 2? Maybe. 

For the past few months I have been reading and hearing reports from Russian media and social media of Ukrainian plans and plots ranging from a dirty bomb or chemical attack on Moscow or Saint Pertersburg to false flag operations where Russia would be blamed. I presume this is what the CIA is talking about. 

But to conduct a maritime operation on the Nord Stream pipelines where hundreds of kilograms of high explosives were placed at four different locations to explode at the same time is a sophistication that I do not see Ukraine having.

NATO Issues A Warning That Any Deliberate Attack Against Critical Infrastructure Will Be Met With A United And Determined Response

 

NBC: NATO issues warning about pipeline 'sabotage' after gas pipeline explosions  

"Any deliberate attack against allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response,” the military alliance said after the Nord Stream explosions. 

LONDON — NATO on Thursday left the door open to possible military action in response to what it said was deliberate sabotage after explosions on underwater natural gas pipelines between Russia and Europe. 

“All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage,” it said in a statement. 

Western governments have pointed the finger of blame for the leaks at Russia, which has flatly denied any suggestion it was responsible for explosions that caused them.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The NATO statement is brief and very clear (link here) .... 

.... The damage to the Nordstream 1 and Nordstream 2 pipelines in international waters in the Baltic Sea is of deep concern. All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage. We support the investigations underway to determine the origin of the damage.  

“We, as allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against allies’ critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response.” 

Even though Russia is the majority owner of the Nord Stream pipelines, it has European partners in what is (was) a critical part of Europe's energy infrastructure. 

Because some NATO and EU leaders are already pointing their finger at Russia being responsible for this attack, will this be used as a justification to respond .... Spain says Nord Stream gas leaks likely a deliberate act — and points the finger at Russia (CNBC). 

Is this a Reichstag moment? 

Will this be used to escalate NATO's involvement in Ukraine? 

Or is this a warning to Russia to not retaliate after the destruction of their pipelines? 

Bottom line. We are sliding down a very slippery slope. 

NATO Vows Retaliation for Attacks on Infrastructure, Blames Sabotage for Pipe Blasts  

NATO believes Baltic Sea gas leaks were sabotage -- AP  

NATO Vows Retaliation for Attacks on Infrastructure, Blames Sabotage for Pipe Blasts -- VOA NATO Formally Blames Sabotage for Nord Stream Pipeline Damage -- WSJ 

NATO condemns ‘deliberate, reckless’ sabotage of Nord Stream pipelines after fourth leak discovered -- FOX News  

NATO Sees 'Deliberate, Reckless' Sabotage In Nord Stream Leaks -- Barrons  

NATO labels Nord Stream pipeline leaks result of "sabotage" -- Axios

Who Is Responsible For Attacking Nord Stream 1 And Nord Stream 2?

WNU Editor: There are two narratives that are underway right now when it comes to who is responsible for this attack. 

On one side fingers are pointing at the U.S. .... Whodunnit? - Facts Related to The Sabotage Attack On The Nord Stream Pipelines (Moon of Alabama). 

On the other side fingers are pointing at Russia .... Nord Stream pipelines were sabotaged, and the best suspect is the nation that sabotaged them before (Daily Kos). 

I personally say it is best to wait before making any judgements. We only know that these pipelines have been attacked/sabotaged. There is still a lot that we do not know.  

Update: Most of my friends and contacts in Europe believe the U.S. was responsible for this attack. 

Opinion in Ukraine is interesting. While the government narrative is that this was a Russian attack, my Ukrainian friends, family members, and contacts are convinced that this was an attack green-lighted by the US and then handled by them or through a third party.

German Engineers Fear Nord Stream 1 Pipeline Is Beyond Repair. Nord Stream 2 Will Take Months

A road sign directs traffic towards the Nord Stream 2 gas line landfall facility entrance in Lubmin, north eastern Germany, on September 7, 2020. (AFP)  

Reuters: German security agencies fear Nord Stream 1 may be unusable forever: Report 

German security agencies fear that Nord Stream 1 will become unusable forever after major leaks from both Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 into the Baltic Sea, German daily Tagesspiegel reported, citing government sources. 

If leaks in the two lines of Nord Stream 1 are not repaired quickly, large volumes of salt water will flow into the pipelines and cause corrosion, the paper cited the sources as saying.  

Read more ....  

Update: Nord Stream Repair No Easy Matter (Energu Intelligence)  

WNU Editor: There are firms coming forward offering to repair the pipelines .... Nord Stream 1 pipeline may use repair equipment pool (Reuters). The problem is that many are saying that these repairs must commence immediately to save the pipelines from salt corrosion, a prospect that I doubt will happen in view of the current environment of sanctions and hostilities. I know in Russia the media narrative this morning is that Nord Stream 2 is going to be a staggering $10 billion write-off for Gazprom.

Did President Biden Make Do On His Threat When He Warned Early This Year That If Russia Invaded Ukraine The U.S. Would Put An 'End To Nord Stream 2'?

 

WNU Editor: It is interesting that President Biden threatened in February to “bring an end to” the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invaded Ukraine.  

“I promise you we will be able to do it,” Biden responded when a reporter asked how the U.S. could put a stop to the pipeline, which was under German control. 

That is a rather damning video and one that Russian media is going to disseminate widely.  

Update #1: Moon of Alabama makes the case that the US was responsible for this attack, and the real target was Germany .... The War On Germany Just Entered Its Hot Phase (Moon of Alabama).  

Update #2: The CIA is now pushing the narrative that they warned everyone a few weeks ago that such an attack was possible .... CIA warned Berlin about possible attacks on gas pipelines in summer - Spiegel (Reuters). More here .... Germany warned by CIA of possible attack on Nord Stream gas pipeline weeks in advance: report (FOX News).

Update #3: Poland’s former defense and foreign minister is convinced that the US is responsible for this attack .... US praised for Nord Stream explosion (RT).

EU Leaders Convinced That A Deliberate Attack Was Launched On Russia's Nord Stream 1 And 2 Pipelines

 

Daily Mail: Did Putin's frogmen blow up Europe's gas supplies? Western leaders blame 'deliberate' sabotage after Nord Stream pipe from Russia ruptured off Sweden causing 3000ft-wide bubbles and sending prices spiking 

* Three leaks were reported in Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines near Danish island last night and this morning 

* Pipelines are leaking gas into the Baltic Sea, with one area more than 3,000ft wide churning with bubbles 

* Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has said her government believes the leaks were caused by 'deliberate actions' 

* Ukraine also pointed the finger at Moscow, describing the incident as a 'terrorist attack and act of aggression' 

* Latvian Defence Minister has called on Nato and EU's member states to jointly investigate the pipeline blasts 

Western leaders have blamed ‘deliberate’ sabotage after the Nordsteam pipe from Russia suffered 'unprecedented' damage off Sweden - causing 3000ft-wide bubbles in the Baltic Sea and causing prices to spike. 

Explosions were heard near the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipes where gas is now leaking into the Baltic from three holes, scientists have confirmed, while chronic safety concerns have led to a five-mile exclusion zone being imposed around the affected area. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said her government believes the leaks were caused by 'deliberate actions', adding that the gas supply pipeline will be out of action for around a week.

Read more .... 

EU Leaders Convinced That A Deliberate Attack Was Launched On Russia's Nord Stream 1 And 2 Pipelines 

 Leaders blame Russia-Europe pipeline leaks on sabotage -- AFP  

European leaders blame sabotage as gas pours into Baltic from Nord Stream pipelines -- The Guardian  

Denmark, Sweden view Nord Stream pipeline leaks as 'deliberate actions' -- DW  

Nord Stream pipeline gas leaks labelled a possible 'act of sabotage' by European leaders -- ABC News Australia  

‘Deliberate actions’ caused Nord Stream gas leak, Danish PM says -- France 24  

Gas leak in Nord Stream pipelines likely caused by sabotage, Germany says -- FOX News  

Polish PM thinks it's 'clear' Nord Stream leaks are act of sabotage -- EU Observer  

Russia-Ukraine war: Sweden launches sabotage investigation after explosions reported near Nord Stream pipelines – as it happened -- The Guardian  

Blasts precede Baltic pipeline leaks, sabotage seen likely -- AP 

Europe investigates 'attacks' on Russian gas pipelines to Europe -- Reuters

Undersea Monitoring Stations Report Explosions That Indicate Russia's Nord Stream I And II Pipelines To Germany Were Deliberately Attacked

 

France 24: Explosions recorded before pipeline leaks, raising Russian sabotage fears 

Europe was racing on Tuesday to investigate possible sabotage behind sudden and unexplained leaks in two Russian gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea, infrastructure at the heart of an energy crisis since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Photos taken by the Danish military showed large masses of bubbles on the surface of the water emanating from the three leaks located in Sweden's and Denmark's economic zones, spreading from 200 to 1,000 metres (656 feet to 0.62 miles) in diameter. 

"It's hard to imagine that it's accidental," said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, noting that it was "unusual" for the leaks to happen at such a distance from each other. The Swedish National Seismic Network recorded two "massive releases of energy" shortly prior to the gas leaks and near their locations off the coast of the Danish island of Bornholm, Peter Schmidt, an Uppsala University seismologist told AFP. 

"With energy releases this big there isn't much else than a blast that could cause it," he added. "You can see that they are quite sudden. It is a very sudden energy release. It's not a slow collapse of something."  

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WNU Editor: It was almost two weeks ago that Russian President Putin told the EU that their energy crisis would be solved if they open Nord Stream 2 .... Putin tells Europe: if you want gas then open Nord Stream 2 (Reuters). 

With this interruption of two separate pipelines at the same time, coupled with seismic evidence pointing to two maybe three deliberate explosions, it is clear to me that someone does not want Putin's option on the table. So who is responsible? 

 I do not know who is responsible. But I do know that only a few countries have the capability to conduct such an operation. 

Russian social media is convinced that the U.S., seeing the recent growing protests in Germany to open Nord Stream 2 to alleviate the energy crisis, made the decision to take this pipeline out.  

Update: The Kremlin is blaming no one (yet) .... Kremlin comments on possible causes of Nord Stream damage (RT). 

Undersea Monitoring Stations Report Explosions That Indicate Russia's Nord Stream I And II Pipelines To Germany Were Deliberately Attacked 

Russia-Ukraine war: explosions reported near Nord Stream pipelines as gas leaks into Baltic Sea – live -- The Guardian  

Sabotage suspected after unexplained leaks found on major Russian gas pipelines -- CNBC  

German officials reportedly believe the crucial Nord Stream natural-gas pipelines connecting Russia to Europe were sabotaged near a Danish island -- Business Insider 

Gas leak in Nord Stream pipelines likely caused by sabotage, Germany says -- FOX News 

Leaks on Russian gas pipelines raise concerns about sabotage -- AP  

Nord Stream pipeline leaks spark sabotage fears -- Axios  

Blasts detected near Nord Stream pipelines amid leak – Swedish seismologists -- RT  

Powerful Underwater Explosions Reportedly Registered in Area of Gas Leaks From Nord Stream -- Sputnik 

What is known about gas leakages from Nord Streams -- TASS