After Nord Stream explosions: Unidentified object discovered near pipelines

Status: 03/24/2023 2:39 p.m

Six months ago, explosions caused leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 Baltic Sea pipelines. An unknown object was discovered next to the lines. Denmark wants to recover the item together with Russia.

Around six months after the explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Denmark wants to work with Russia to recover an object that was found next to the pipes. The Danish authorities have already examined the approximately 40 centimeters high and cylindrical object on the bottom of the Baltic Sea, said the energy authority in Copenhagen.

There is no immediate security risk. It is possible that it is a smoke buoy. In order to finally clarify this, the object should now be recovered. In this context, Nord Stream 2 AG was offered to take part in the salvage, it said in the Notice from the Danish Energy Agency.

This picture from the Danish authorities shows the unknown object next to the pipelines.

Image: via REUTERS

Moscow sees invitation as “positive news”

Moscow welcomed the invitation. “It’s good news when the pipeline owner is invited to important investigations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Interfax agency. It must be investigated whether the object found has anything to do with the “act of terrorism” on the Nord Stream lines. Contrary to Danish information, Peskow added: “And apparently it has.”

Almost two weeks ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the object in a television report in connection with the attacks on the gas pipeline. According to the AFP news agency, the object was located by the Russian gas company Gazprom.

Investigations are ongoing

At the end of September 2022, a total of four leaks in the two gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 were discovered as a result of explosions near the Danish Baltic Sea island of Bornholm. The authorities assume sabotage. It is unclear who is responsible for this.

Germany, Sweden and Denmark are investigating. According to research by ARD and “Zeit” lead traces of the investigation to Ukraine. German government politicians recently warned against hasty conclusions and warned to wait for the end of the investigations. Moscow, on the other hand, blamed the “Anglo-Saxons” – that is, the British and the Americans – shortly after the attack.

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