DISINFO: The US is probably behind the explosion of NS-1 and NS-2
SUMMARY
The explosion of Russian gas pipelines could be beneficial only to three states: the United States, Great Britain and Ukraine. It is difficult to say which of them carried out the terrorist attack, but most probably it was the US, which has been pursuing the goal of destroying energy cooperation in Europe for many years.
RESPONSE
Conspiracy theory and unsubstantiated claim from pro-Kremlin media accusing the US of sabotage and explosion of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. No evidence provided to support the claim.
On 26 September 2022, the NS1 and the NS2 pipelines both ruptured. Denmark and Sweden view the Nord Stream pipeline leaks as 'deliberate actions'.
Sweden, Germany and Denmark opened an investigation of the incident. This is the first step in determining what caused the leaks. Anything before that would be mere speculation.
As High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell stated: "Any deliberate disruption of European energy infrastructure is utterly unacceptable and will be met with a robust and united response." NATO called the incidents "deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. Joe Biden says Nord Stream leak is ‘Deliberate act of sabotage’.
The claim that the US might benefit is speculation. European gas prices, which had been going down in recent months, went up 12% the days after the leaks. Gazprom has been reducing the supply of gas to Europe since spring 2022, blaming Europe and calling for sanctions to be lifted. In early September. Gazprom announced an indefinite shutdown of NS1 after days and weeks of scheduled repairs. NS2 has never been operational. It was sanctioned after Russia launched its military aggression against Ukraine. The U.S. is not interested in rising gas prices. Washington joined the oil price cap-initiative in order to drive down energy prices.
Pro-Kremlin media are promoting a number of different claims alleging that the leaks benefit the US, UK, Poland or Ukraine, which is similar to the Kremlin's disinformation campaign in the situation of MH-17. Read more about the similarities from our recent analysis, and check also our full account on MH17 disinformation here.
This statement also advancing a recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the US having malicious intentions towards Europe. Pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets and their amplifiers have heavily focused on the Nord Stream gas pipelines sabotage issue. They have continued to sow doubt and float various conspiracy theories, most of which heavily imply that the US, Poland, or the wider West are to blame for various reasons.