10.29.2022 16:24 (act 10.29.2022 18:04)
Moscow blames the British. ©AP/Portal/CanvaPro
Russia accuses Britain of being involved in the explosions at the German-Russian Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines.
Members of a “unit of the British Navy” were involved in the “planning, delivery and execution” of the “terrorist attack” in late September, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Saturday on the Telegram online service.
Repeated Complaints
The four explosions on the Danish island of Bornholm ruptured several leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines. Russia has repeatedly complained that it was not included in the international investigation into the leaks allegedly caused by acts of sabotage.
The Swedish judiciary announced on Friday that it intends to inspect the pipelines again. Nord Stream made a similar announcement and sent a Russian-flagged civilian vessel for this purpose.
The leaks discovered on 26 September were preceded by explosions, and initial underwater investigations confirmed the suspicion of acts of sabotage. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the two pipelines between Russia and Germany have been at the center of geopolitical tensions.
Suspended gas deliveries
These were further fueled by Moscow’s decision to stop gas supplies to Europe via pipelines. The stoppage of deliveries is seen as an alleged retaliation for Western sanctions. Nord Stream pipelines were out of service at the time of the damage, but full of gas.
Drone attacks in Sevastopol
Moscow also blamed London for the drone attacks on the Black Sea port of Sevastopol on Saturday. According to pro-Russian officials, the “heaviest drone strikes” since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine were carried out by “drones and remotely operated surface vehicles in the waters of Sevastopol Bay”.
“act of terrorism”
The “act of terrorism” was carried out by British “experts” stationed in Ochakiv, in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. These British units are also responsible for training Ukrainian special forces for naval operations.