Swedish Prosecutor Confirms Nord Stream Blasts Were Sabotage

The pipeline leaks could be seen roiling the waters of the Baltic Sea on September 26.

A Swedish prosecutor says traces of explosives have been found at the site of the damaged Nord Stream pipelines, confirming that sabotage had taken place.

Four explosions caused leaks in three of the four links that make up the Russia-owned Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September, sending tons of pressurized methane gas into the Baltic Sea at a time of heightened concerns in Europe over a potential energy crisis due to supply disruptions from Russia amid its ongoing war with Ukraine.

Swedish and Danish authorities are investigating the circumstances of the leaks, and Copenhagen last month said a preliminary investigation had shown that the leaks were caused by powerful explosions.

"Analysis that has now been carried out shows traces of explosives on several of the objects that were recovered," Swedish state prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said in a statement on November 18.

"The investigation is highly complex and comprehensive. The ongoing probe will determine whether any suspects can be identified," Ljungqvist added.

A section measuring at least 50 meters is missing from Nord Stream 1, Swedish daily Expressen reported on October 18 after filming what it said were the first publicly released images of the damage.

Danish and Swedish seismologists have registered tremors in the immediate vicinity of the leaks that they said did not resemble those from earthquakes.

The Russian Defense Ministry last month said, without presenting any evidence, that British Navy personnel blew up the pipelines, a claim that London rejected as false and said was designed to distract from Russian military failures in Ukraine.

NATO and several European countries suspect Russia carried out the sabotage.

On November 18, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia will wait until a full damage assessment to the Nord Stream gas pipelines is done before deciding on any repairs, if any.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP