2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage
 Map showing the location of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines near Bornholm. The two run close to each other most of the way, but deviate near the sites of the leaks. | |
| Date | 26–29 September 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Baltic Sea, near Bornholm, Denmark |
| Coordinates | |
| Type | |
| Cause | Sabotage |
| Motive | Unknown |
| Target | Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 |
| First reporter | Nord Stream AG |
| Organised by | Unknown |
| Property damage |
|
The 2022 Nord Stream gas leaks were a series of explosions and underwater gas leaks that happened on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipelines on 26 September 2022. Both pipeline pairs were built to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.
The leaks happened as the Baltic Pipe was being opened for natural gas to come in from the North Sea through Denmark to Poland.
Background
[change | change source]In 2021, Russia was one of the largest suppliers of natural gas to the countries that are members of the European Union.[3] The United States has been a powerful opponent of both Nord Stream pipelines.
Cause
[change | change source]The explosions and gas leaks were caused by sabotage.[4][5]
Investigations
[change | change source]The nearby countries Germany, Sweden and Denmark have each investigated the sabotage. As of February 2023[update] they have not publicly accused anyone of doing it.[6]
On 27 April 2023 Denmark's military confirmed that six ships from the Russian navy had been observed in the area of the sabotage four days before it happened. One of the ships can launch a mini-submarine.[7]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Denmark. The Baltic Sea. Bornholm SE. Gas leakage. Danger to navigation. Prohibited area established" (PDF). Søfartsstyrelsen (Danish Maritime Authority). 2022-09-26. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
A gas leakage has been observed in pos. 54° 52.60'N – 015° 24.60'E.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Denmark. The Baltic Sea. Bornholm NE. Gas leakages. Danger to navigation. Prohibited areas established" (PDF). Søfartsstyrelsen. 2022-09-29. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
Gas leakages have been observed in pos. 55° 33,40'N – 015° 47,30'E, pos. 55° 32,10'N – 015° 41,90'E and pos. 55° 32,450'N 015° 46,470'E.
- ↑ "How Europe can cut natural gas imports from Russia significantly within a year - News". IEA. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
- ↑ "Bekräftat sabotage vid Nord Stream" [Confirmed sabotage on Nord Stream]. Åklagarmyndigheten (Swedish Prosecution Authority) (Press release) (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 November 2022.
- ↑ Gans, Jared (18 November 2022). "Swedish say they found evidence of explosives in Nord Stream pipelines". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
- ↑ Bennetts, Marc (2 February 2023). "Who attacked the Nord Stream pipelines?". The Times. London. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ↑ Elkjær, Bo; Gjerding, Sebastian (2023-04-28). "Forsvaret bekræfter: Rusland havde specialfartøj nær Nord Streams sprængningspunkt" [Defence confirms: Russia had specialized vessel near Nord Stream point of explosion]. information.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 2023-08-27.
