Traces of explosives found at Nord Stream pipelines, confirming 'gross sabotage,' Sweden says
NBCDec 24, 2022
The Facts
The EU and NATO have described the probable cause of leaks in Russia's Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which churned up the Baltic Sea with bubbles on Tuesday, as “sabotage," and, on Wednesday, the EU pledged a "robust" response.
On Tuesday, Sweden's Maritime Authority warned about two gas leaks in the Nord Stream 1 pipeline shortly after Denmark discovered gas leaks in Nord Stream 2.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
These "mystery" gas leaks have the possibility of being a terrorist attack by Russia as an act of aggression toward the EU. Moscow wants to destabilize the economic situation in Europe and cause pre-winter panic. In retaliation, Europe should do even more to help Ukraine defeat Russia.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia is greatly concerned about these leaks and the disruptions they could cause ahead of the long, cold winter in Europe. An investigation will get to the bottom of this and hopefully lead to a resolution. There is no malfeasance or malintent whatsoever from the Kremlin.
Establishment-critical narrative
There have been countless threats by Western nations, including from the US in February, against Russian undersea pipelines. With former Polish foreign minister Sikorski all but confirming this was the work of the US, the EU should be directing its ire that way and not toward Russia.
