Western Reader
Europe is facing another energy crisis as winter approaches. Just over a year after the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline by the US, another disruption in European energy pipelines is causing concern.
This time, a submarine gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia has been damaged, resulting in a significant leak. The Finnish government suspects that this was a deliberate act of sabotage.
The Balticconnector gas pipeline, which is 77 km (48 miles) in length and runs under the Baltic Sea, has been shut down due to the leak. The Finnish operator, Gasgrid, has warned that it could take months to repair the damage.
The incident has caused gas markets across Europe to experience their highest prices in six months. UK gas market prices have increased by almost 15%, and the benchmark price for European gas has reached its highest point since April.
📸 NATO Member Finland announced that the incident was sabotage in the investigation conducted after a leak was detected in the Finland-Estonia pipeline on Sunday and the submarine communication cables were cut.#Russia
Via @savunmaisleri pic.twitter.com/mG6mqnMt6N— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) October 10, 2023
Along with the gas pipeline, a telecommunications cable that connects Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea has also been damaged. The Finnish Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the external damage to the pipeline.
Preliminary findings suggest that the extent of the damage indicates a deliberate action. This level of damage would require “special knowledge,” indicating it was not something an ordinary person could have done.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has described the damage to the pipeline as “worrying.” However, he has reassured the public that Finland’s energy supply remains stable, and the damage to the telecommunications cable has not affected overall connectivity.
He has urged caution in drawing conclusions about the cause of the damage until the investigation is complete. The damage to the gas pipeline occurred in Finnish waters, while the breach of the telecoms cable was in Estonian waters.
SABOTAGE: Leak in the Submarine Gas Pipeline Between Finland and Estonia Was ‘Deliberate Act’ – Damage Came a Year After the Nord Stream Explosions via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/O92PRHA2O6
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) October 10, 2023
This new disruption comes after the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions in 2022, which authorities have deemed deliberate acts of sabotage. These incidents raise serious concerns about the security of Europe’s energy infrastructure.
Although it is too early to assign blame, Finnish media has cited government sources suspecting Russian involvement in the sabotage. However, Prime Minister Orpo has stressed the importance of not jumping to conclusions at this stage.
NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg has stated that the alliance will share information about the destruction of the underwater infrastructure and provide support to its allies.
The security of Europe’s energy infrastructure needs to be prioritized. Repeated disruptions not only impact energy supply but also have significant economic implications.
This article appeared in The Patriot Brief and has been published here with permission.
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