A new one was added yesterday to the three leak points detected in the NATURAL GAS pipelines at the beginning of the week. With the last observation, it was determined that the line was pierced at four points, two in Danish and two in Swedish territorial waters. Damage assessment work started on the pipe 100 meters below the water. Russia and West agreed that ‘sabotage’ caused the leaks, while blaming each other for responsibility. Arguing that it was “stupid and predictable” to sabotage its own pipeline, the Kremlin pointed out that the leak area is under the control of US intelligence.
‘LEAK IS IN US REGION’
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mariya Zakharova said, “The US administration said that they would never allow the Nord Stream 2 line to be put into service. Looks like they keep their word. The damage area is in the Baltic Sea. In other words, it is under the control of NATO and American intelligence,” he clearly accused Washington.
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‘THIS IS AN ENERGY WAR’
In response, American CNN television reported that there were reports that support ships of the Russian army were in the area where the Nord Stream leaked on Mondays and Tuesdays. CNN based its news on anonymous intelligence sources. Yesterday, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner noted that the “sabotage whose actor is unknown” increased the tension in the region and said, “We found ourselves in an energy war.” In Norway, Europe’s largest natural gas and oil producer, the Ministry of Defense has declared that they have taken wells, pipelines and energy facilities under protection.
2.3 EARTHQUAKE EQUIVALENT
Although the perpetrator is unsolved, the possibility of sabotage regarding the leaks is gaining weight. Just before the leaks started, seismic recording stations in the area explosion recorded the sound. The first explosion was measured early Monday near Denmark’s Bornholm Island. The second and stronger one was detected at night in the same area and caused the equivalent of a 2.3 magnitude earthquake. Sweden’s seismic research center said it “had no suspicion that there was an explosion”.
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CAN CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER
Although both lines stretching for 1200 kilometers under the BALTIC Sea were closed, there were approximately 350 thousand tons of natural gas in the pipes, according to environmental organizations. Danish authorities have announced that the leaks, which began on September 19, will continue until Sunday, when all gas is expected to run out. Greenpeace announced that the leaks will release 30 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is more than two-thirds of Denmark’s annual emissions production.
NATO: ATTACK IS RESPONDED
Damages to PIPE lines were handled by NATO. NATO’s North Atlantic Council (NAC) gave the message that any attack would have a “decisive response”. “All information indicates that the destruction was the result of deliberate, reckless and irresponsible sabotage,” the NAC statement said. “Any deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the Allies will be met with a united and determined response,” the statement said. NATO announced that Sweden and Finland, whose membership processes are still ongoing, also joined the NAC statement. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council will meet today to discuss the issue. (Guven OZALP/BRUSSELS)
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