Fourth leak in the Nord Stream reinforces the signs of sabotage

First modification: 09/29/2022 – 20:46

The Swedish Navy reportedthis Thursday, September 29, a second leak in the Nord Stream pipes in its territorial waters, this time in gas pipeline 2. This is added to two others identified by Denmark, last Sunday and Monday, in other points of the infrastructure .

The versions of Sweden, Denmark, NATO, the European Union and even the Russian Federal Security Service agree in describing it as “deliberate acts of sabotage”, but are far from pointing out those responsible.

In Denmark, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen highlighted alleged “deliberate actions” and ruled out an accident as the main cause of the leaks. However, she put on the table the existence of explosions directed against this infrastructure.

NATO pronounced itself through a release, after knowing the fourth filtration. In this he again insisted on the hypothesis of acts of sabotage, which he described as “deliberate, reckless and irresponsible.” He also pointed out that these events are a risk for maritime transport and have a “considerable” impact on the environment.

Nord Stream, the gas pipelines of discord

The gas pipelines have been at the center of pressure from Russia after the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, or special operation as the Kremlin calls it, through the sudden drop in pressure alleging technical problems due to the importation of a turbine necessary in the operation of the Nord Stream 1 line, the only one in operation.

The energy supply, on which several European countries depend, has been used as a weapon of pressure, as the president of the European Commission has repeatedly pointed out since March of this year.

Ursula von der Leyen announced this Wednesday more sanctions against Russia, which seek to weaken its commercial income and continue its international isolation. Among these measures is the prohibition of imports of more Russian products and export limitations on technological products, which, according to Brussels, are used to “feed the war machine.”

Russia investigates “international terrorism”

This Wednesday the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation announced through a release which will investigate the commission of the crime of international terrorism.

The Russian Information Agency Novosti published details about the incident. He highlighted the investigations that the Federal Security Service will carry out on an apparent “international terrorism” and raises questions about who should bear the costs of the repairs.

According to the state publication, the pipes are insured, but the path to obtain payment from the insurers will be difficult.

Untold environmental damage

The leaks recorded up to this moment show significant fractures in the pipes and have released considerable amounts of methane gas into the Baltic Sea. According to Professor Bill Collins, professor of atmospheric chemistry and Earth system modeling at the University of Reading, in an interview with AP, the consequences will not be visible but “it will affect the ozone levels of everyone in the world.”

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Collins explains that methane has up to 30 times the impact of other greenhouse gases.

The environmental costs come on top of rising natural gas prices on the European continent, already up more than 400% since the start of this year, and rising alongside the added uncertainty of attacks on key energy infrastructure.

With AP, AFP and Russian media