New findings from Norwegian researchers highlight that the Nord Stream gas pipelines experienced more explosions than initially reported, with four blasts last year causing significant damage to three of the four pipeline lines.
These revelations come from seismologists at Norsar, a foundation renowned for monitoring earthquakes and underground nuclear tests as part of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
The initial revelations noted two separate explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines last September.
Detailed analysis of the seismic data, however, led to the identification of two additional blasts, uncovering a broader scope of destruction near the Danish island of Bornholm, RT News is reporting.
The first explosion was recorded on Nord Stream 2 at 2:03 am local time on September 26, 2022, and the second occurred on Nord Stream 1 at 7:03 pm on the same day.
The newly discovered third and fourth explosions followed swiftly after the second blast, within seven and 16 seconds, respectively.
Norsar’s findings indicate that while the second and third explosions occurred within a proximity of 220 meters, the fourth was several kilometers away.
Given the configuration of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, each consisting of two separate lines, the destruction of three lines has led to conjectures regarding the use of multiple explosive devices.
This more extensive damage and the additional explosions have spurred investigations by the governments of Denmark, Germany, and Sweden, with the results still pending.
These nations have barred Russia from participating in the ongoing probes.
The Nord Stream pipelines were severed near Bornholm, emphasizing the strategic placement of the explosive devices, RT notes.
The origin and motive behind the sabotage of the pipelines remain contested.
Western mainstream media posit that Ukrainian commandos, possibly informed by the CIA and European intelligence agencies, carried out the attacks, utilizing a rented yacht to transport the explosives.
Reports suggest that the CIA had foreknowledge and advised aborting the plan.
However, Seymour Hersh, an American journalist, presents a contrasting narrative, stating that U.S. President Joe Biden commanded the CIA to orchestrate the destruction of the pipelines.
According to Hersh, “Biden intended to sever Germany’s energy ties to Russia,” preventing the easing of sanctions on Moscow by Berlin, due to Germany’s dependency on gas.
Hersh claims that CIA divers, in collaboration with the Norwegian Navy, placed bombs on the pipelines, capitalizing on a NATO exercise for cover.
Russian President Vladimir Putin concurs with Hersh’s analysis, stating in March, “I fully agree” and emphasizing the advantageous position of the US as a rival gas supplier to Europe post the attack.
The contention surrounding the explosions persists, with President Biden having asserted in February, “there will no longer be a Nord Stream 2. We will bring an end to it.”
