2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage

The 2022 Nord Stream gas leaks were a series of explosions and underwater gas leaks that happened on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipelines on 26 September 2022. Both pipeline pairs were built to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

2022 Nord Stream gas pipe explosions

Map showing the location of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines near Bornholm. The two run close to each other most of the way, but deviate near the sites of the leaks.
Date	26–29 September 2022 (2022-09-26 – 2022-09-29)
Location	Central Baltic Sea, near Bornholm, Denmark
Coordinates	54°52.6′N 15°24.6′E[1] 55°32.1′N 15°41.9′E[2] 55°33.4′N 15°47.3′E[2] 55°32.45′N 15°46.74′E[2]
Type	Industrial disaster Gas leaks after explosions
Cause	Sabotage
Motive	Unknown
Target	Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2
First reporter	Nord Stream AG
Organised by	Unknown
Property damage	Nord Stream 1: Broken Nord Stream 2: One of two pipes broken

The leaks happened as the Baltic Pipe was being opened for natural gas to come in from the North Sea through Denmark to Poland.

Background

In 2021, Russia was one of the largest suppliers of natural gas to the countries that are members of the European Union.^[3] The United States has been a powerful opponent of both Nord Stream pipelines.

Cause

The explosions and gas leaks were caused by sabotage.^[4][5]

Investigations

The nearby countries Germany, Sweden and Denmark have each investigated the sabotage. As of February 2023^[update] they have not publicly accused anyone of doing it.^[6]

This Russian ship with its mini-submarine was seen by the Danish navy in the area of the sabotage four days before it happened

On 27 April 2023 Denmark's military confirmed that six ships from the Russian navy had been observed in the area of the sabotage four days before it happened. One of the ships can launch a mini-submarine.^[7]