Both Nord Stream natural gas pipelines from Russia to Germany have developed apparent leaks within hours of one another. The cause is unknown, but some sources have hinted at sabotage.

German officials have not yet provided any information on the possible cause of the damage. However, Berlin's Tagesspiegel newspaper cited German security circles saying that sabotage was strongly suspected. "Our imagination no longer allows for a scenario in which this is not a targeted attack," the newspaper quoted its source as saying.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it was "hard to imagine" that the leaks were "accidental."

Speaking to Danish media while on a visit to Poland, Frederiksen said: "It's an unusual situation, to have three leaks a distance from each other. That's why it's hard to imagine that it's accidental."

Separately, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was "extremely concerned" by the reports of damage and that no option, including sabotage, can be excluded at the moment.

"Obviously, there is a destruction of the pipeline. And what the reason is, there is no option that can be ruled out until the results of the investigation emerge," Peskov was cited as saying by Interfax state news agency. "This is an absolutely unprecedented situation that needs to be resolved quickly."

Sure looks like something the US would pull :amerikkka:

  • culpritus [any]
    ·
    2 years ago

    link from tweet thread

    https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/US-Navy-zeigt-Flagge-in-der-oestlichen-Ostsee,usnavy102.html

    Can't read the language, but seems to indicate US Navy vessels in the area turning off their nav beacons or something.

    Mentions USS Kearsarge being one of the ships in the area.

    https://www.marinevesseltraffic.com/vessels/USS-Kearsarge-(LHD-3)/CURRENT-POSITION/1/368702000

    Shown very near to the location of pipeline damage by the island mentioned in the pipeline articles, Bornholm.

    • footfaults [none/use name]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Time to wonder where the USS Jimmy Carter is.....

      During modification, her hull was extended 100 feet (30 m) to create a 2,500-ton supplementary middle section which forms a Multi-Mission Platform (MMP). This section is fitted with an ocean interface for divers, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and special operation equipment; ROV handling system, storage, and deployment space for mission systems, and a pressure-resistant passage between the fore and aft parts of the submarine to accommodate the boat's crew.

    • jizzong [he/him]
      ·
      2 years ago

      Can’t read the language, but seems to indicate US Navy vessels in the area turning off their nav beacons or something.

      Mentions USS Kearsarge being one of the ships in the area.

      The article just says that the US is moving ships towards the baltic see. The auther speculates that this is related to FInnland and Sweden joining NATO. It doesn't say anything about Nav beacons. (see below)

      • culpritus [any]
        ·
        2 years ago

        OK, the accompanying post with the link mentioned AIS (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_identification_system) being turned off for this vessel. Unfortunately I don't see the tweet anymore.

        • AcidSmiley [she/her]
          ·
          2 years ago

          The article does mention AIS being turned off:

          Am Mittwochmorgen gegen 6 Uhr hat der Verband die dänische Insel Bornholm bereits passiert, dann schalten die Amerikaner ihre automatischen Schiffs-Identifikations-Systeme (AIS) aus und sind ohne Weiteres nicht mehr zu orten.

          On Wednesday morning at around 6:00, the fleet has already passed the Danish island of Bornholm, then the Americans turn off their automatic ship-identification systems (AIS) and cannot be located anymore without effort.

          (my translation, German is my first language)

          Also worth mentioning that the Kearsarge is a vessel for amphibious operations :thonk: