Sweden has discovered another leak in the Russian gas pipeline, the Nord Stream pipeline, making it the fourth leak found this week.
Denmark and Sweden reported three previous incidents of the leak in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines earlier this week. Many European Union members are considering this sabotage.
NATO has called the incidents “deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage.”
Russia rejected suggestions of attacking its pipelines. The Russian foreign ministry asserted that the attacks have happened in “zones controlled by American intelligence.”
Both NATO and the European Union (EU) warned that “a robust and united response” would be initiated if the act was intentional. The EU has constantly blamed Russia for using gas supplies as a tactic to scare the West.
The Swedish coast guard said they had found the fourth leak on Nord Stream 2, very close to a major leak found earlier on Nord Stream 1.
Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov showed “extreme concern” about the leaks, and said there could be a possibility of a deliberate attack.
Meanwhile, Norway, a non-member of the EU, confirmed it would deploy its military to protect oil and gas installations.
Gas supplies are presently not taking place through Nord Stream 1 and 2, even when both pipelines contain gas. Russia has stopped gas supplies since late August, citing maintenance issues. The Nord Stream 1 pipeline runs 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) under the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast near St. Petersburg to north-eastern Germany.
