A preliminary investigation into damage to the two Nord Stream gas pipelines on the Danish side of the Baltic Sea shows that the leaks were caused by “powerful explosions,” Copenhagen police said in a statement.
The force added that the further investigation into the September 26 ruptures of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in Denmark’s exclusive economic zone would be handled jointly by Copenhagen police and the Danish Security and Intelligence Service.
The Danish findings appeared to be similar to those of Swedish prosecutors, who said two other holes in the pipes also appeared to have been caused by explosions and that the case was being investigated as an act of serious sabotage.
On Tuesday, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that a section of at least 50m (164ft) was missing from the ruptured Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, after filming what it said were the first published images of the damage.
Image: Map showing the pipelines
Swedish and Danish authorities have been investigating four leaks in the gas pipelines, which link Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea and have become a flashpoint in the Ukraine crisis.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the international investigation was set up with the advanced intention of blaming Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “elementary logic” showed that the damage to the pipeline was a blow to Russia’s interests.
He said the investigation was being conducted “secretly” and without Moscow’s involvement.
Expressen’s video, captured by a small remotely operated underwater vehicle, or underwater drone, showed bent metal and a wide-open pipe in murky waters at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Parts of the pipe appeared to have straight, sharp edges, while others were deformed, images recorded at a depth of approximately 80 meters (262 feet) showed.
Image: The ground facilities of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline in Lubmin, Germany
The video was recorded on Monday, Expressen said.
Danish police have not been able to say when the investigation is expected to conclude.
“It is still too early to say something about the framework in which international cooperation with, for example, Sweden and Germany will develop, as it depends on several factors,” Copenhagen police said.
Photos and video footage showed bubbles rising to the surface of the seawater after the leaks last month.
World leaders have called the damage an act of sabotage, and Moscow has sought to blame the West, suggesting the United States stands to gain.
Washington has denied any involvement.