Comment BRUSSELS — The mysterious September explosions that hit the Nord Stream gas pipelines built to carry Russian gas to Europe were caused by “major sabotage” and investigators found traces of explosives, Swedish authorities said Friday. In a statement, prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said the search conducted at the site in the Baltic Sea revealed several foreign objects. Also, the Swedish Security Service said on Friday that “residues of explosives were found in some of the foreign objects that were seized and analysed”. But the statements did not address the key question in the months-long mystery of the explosions that have set the continent on edge: how the explosives were planted in the undersea pipelines and who might be responsible. European leaders blame Russian ‘sabotage’ after Nord Stream explosions The prosecutor’s office said the ongoing investigation will determine whether any suspects will be identified, while the security service said “advanced analysis work is still ongoing — the aim is to draw more definitive conclusions.” The explosions in late September rocked a key pipeline carrying natural gas from Russia to Europe as Moscow uses energy as leverage in retaliation for Western sanctions over the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. European officials were quick to call the incident “sabotage” and some blamed Russia, although multiple investigations are underway, with Danish and German authorities also gathering evidence. “These are deliberate actions, not an accident,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters on September 27 shortly after the explosions. “The situation is as serious as it gets.” Russia has denied responsibility. The Kremlin is “extremely concerned,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the same day. The Nord Stream leak could be the largest methane leak ever, but not catastrophic Although the explosions initially raised fears of shortages, the impact on European supplies was limited, largely because the European Union had already begun to wean itself off Russian energy. The energy crisis has prompted European countries to build stockpiles and find alternative sources of supplies ahead of the winter, as Russia cut off flows and energy prices rose. EU countries also rushed to boost security around key infrastructure and boost maritime operations after the pipeline explosions. Damage from the explosions hit part of Nord Stream 1, which was an important route for Russian natural gas to Germany, Poland and other European nations. Russia cut off the flow of natural gas through Nord Stream 1 earlier this year, citing technical problems, while European leaders accused Moscow of trying to “blackmail” countries that have sent weapons to Ukraine to repel Russian forces. Another leak was part of the newer Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which Germany froze earlier in the conflict shortly before the pipeline was put into operation. Francis reported from London. Helier Cheung contributed to this report. Understanding the Russia-Ukraine conflict See 3 more stories
