The Nord Stream 1 & 2 pipelines which typically carry natural gas from Russia to Europe, have developed 3 leaks in sections spanning under the Baltic sea. Flows through the pipelines have been virtually non-existent since Russia shut off gas flows to Europe in retaliation for European sanctions.
Analyst Comment: It is not clear how long it will take to repair the pipeline, but now Europe is really in trouble. If the pipeline is not fixed soon Europe will not be able to negotiate with Russia to restart natural gas supplies for the Winter, which they desperately need. Sabotaging on undersea pipeline is not an easy task. It would require underwater demolitions forces like US Navy Seals or similar elements from the EU or Russia. Russia has now openly admitted to throttling natural gas to Europe as a way to pressure them to lift sanctions, so Russia is an unlikely saboteur here. They have every incentive to maintain the pipeline to force European concessions in exchange for restarting gas flows.
In the EU however, populist leaders are gaining traction and risk disrupting the strategies of globalist leaders. Sabotaging the pipeline removes the option of making a deal with Russia, at least if the pipeline cannot be repaired in a few weeks.
Finally, back in February after Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine, President Biden said, “The notion that Nord Stream 2 is going to go forward with an invasion by the Russians — that’s not going to happen… We will bring an end to it.” Sabotaging the pipeline locks Europe into continued sanctions against Russia, and removes one of the potential policy victories European populists could implement. The US and EU both have much to gain from sabotaging Nordstream.