Why Russia may have sabotaged Nord Stream gas pipelines

Sabotage has been deemed the most likely cause of major leaks in two gas pipelines between Russia and Europe.

Seismologists reported explosions around the Nord Stream pipelines on Monday, and aerial footage from a Danish military flight over the leaks revealed a bubbling area of gas a kilometre wide on the surface of the sea.

Professor of Political Science at Syracuse University, Brian Taylor, says it’s “pretty clear from the statements we’re seeing that it was sabotage”.

Press PLAY below to hear why Russia might have sabotaged its own pipelines

“In terms of the saboteur is, no one has come forward with any specific evidence but I think people are looking first and foremost towards Russia as the culprit, which sounds somewhat bizarre because it is their pipelines,” he told Ross and Russel.

Professor Taylor says Putin may have ordered the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which carry gas from Russia to Germany, “as a way to send a message to western Europe that Russia still constrols the gas weapon and that energy supplies to Europe are in doubt”.

“He’s looking for ways to change the narrative and put pressure on the collective west to stop backing Ukraine,” Professor Taylor said.

The majority shareholder of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is  Russian state company Gazprom, and Nord Stream 2 is owned by a Swiss subsidiary of the same company.

Press PLAY below to see shocking footage of the gas leak captured by the Danish military

Image: Danish Defence