On September 26, 2022, four huge gas leaks preceded by underwater explosions took place a few hours apart on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines, pipes connecting Russia to Germany and transporting most of the gas Russian to Europe in the Baltic Sea.
Germany, Sweden and Denmark had opened investigations. At the beginning of February, the Swedish prosecutor’s office closed its investigations without any prosecution, judging that the facts were not within its jurisdiction. Even if the investigation is still ongoing in Germany, Denmark, in turn, has also decided to close its investigation, considering that it does not “have the necessary bases” for prosecution.
“Based on the investigation, authorities can conclude that the sabotage of the gas pipelines was intentional. At the same time, they believe that there is not the necessary basis for continuing a criminal investigation in Denmark,” the Danish police explained in a press release. Responsibility for the explosions was attributed, according to different media investigations, to Ukraine, Russia or the United States, but all denied it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in particular, has repeatedly denied that his country could be involved. “I would never do that,” he told German daily Bild last June, adding that he “would like to see proof.”
The Kremlin denounces an “absurd” decision
For its part, Russia criticized Denmark’s decision as “absurd”. “The situation borders on the absurd,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “On the one hand, we recognize that there was a premeditated act of sabotage, but on the other hand, there is no progress.”
In the meantime, Danish intelligence services say they continue to “monitor the evolution of the threat and, in collaboration with other competent authorities, continually implement measures deemed necessary to protect Denmark’s critical infrastructure.”