COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Swedish officials announced on Wednesday that they have closed their investigation into the September 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines, citing lack of jurisdiction. The pipelines were built to transport Russian natural gas to Germany, and the explosions further fueled tensions in Europe amid efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy sources following the invasion of Ukraine.
The attacks damaged the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russia’s primary natural gas supply route to Germany until the end of August 2022. Additionally, the blasts also affected the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which had not yet entered service due to Germany suspending its certification process shortly before the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Apart from the geopolitical impact, the explosions caused significant environmental damage, with local wildlife affected and large volumes of methane discharged into the Baltic Sea, potentially marking the single largest release of methane from human activity, according to analysts.
The Swedish investigation was part of a joint effort with Denmark and Germany, both of which are carrying out their own probes into the explosions. German federal prosecutors have stated that their investigations are ongoing, while Copenhagen police, leading the Danish investigation, expect to make an announcement soon.
More than 16 months following the incidents, the identity of the perpetrator remains unclear. Various unconfirmed reports have pointed fingers at Russia, the United States, and Ukraine, creating an information vacuum as the investigations continue. The Nord Stream pipelines have long been criticized by the United States and some of its allies due to concerns about increasing Europe’s dependence on Russian gas, potentially impacting energy security.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have accused the U.S. of staging the explosions, which they have labeled as a terror attack. However, the U.S. has denied any involvement. In March 2023, German media reported the possible involvement of a pro-Ukraine group in the sabotage, but Ukraine rejected the accusation, and German officials urged caution in making any conclusions.
Swedish prosecutors have indicated that a state actor was likely responsible for the sabotage, but the identity of the perpetrator remains uncertain, a sentiment echoed by the German and Danish investigations. Despite the ongoing efforts, the mystery surrounding the explosions persists, leaving lingering questions about the incident.