Denmark Confirms Extensive Damage In Nord Stream One, Two Pipelines

Danish officials have confirmed that there has been “extensive damage” to the Nord Stream one and two gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea off Denmark and that “powerful explosions” were the cause of the damage last month.

The pipelines of Nord Stream one and Nord Stream two, the largest routes for Russian gas to Europe, were ruptured in the Baltic Sea in late September.

The four leaks occurred in international waters but within the exclusive economic zones of Denmark and Sweden.

In a statement on Tuesday, Copenhagen Police said they had carried out a number of preliminary investigations of what they called “the crime scenes”.

Denmark’s Armed Forces, the Danish security and intelligence agency, and the police have decided to set up a joint investigation group which will handle the further investigation of the incidents.

The damaged pipelines discharged huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the air for several days.

The damage to the pipelines has become a major flashpoint in the crisis in Ukraine which is in its eighth month. Russia said the United States was a beneficiary of the accidents, while the US has denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said the leaks were likely the result of a “terrorist attack” carried out by Russia.