Nord Stream 1 and 2 sabotaged: German should protect underwater pipelines for NATO

Explosions have caused leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines.

Nord Stream 1 and 2 sabotaged: German should protect underwater pipelines for NATO

Explosions have caused leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. To ensure that the incident does not repeat itself, NATO wants to take precautions. The defense ministers of the alliance appoint a German ex-lieutenant general to head a body for the protection of such lines.

A former German military representative is to ensure better protection of underwater pipelines on behalf of NATO: The NATO defense ministers commissioned Lieutenant General Hans-Werner Wiermann to do this in Brussels, as Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced in Brussels. Wiermann is to head a new coordination center at NATO headquarters in order to better coordinate measures to protect the essential infrastructure under sea.

"The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines reminded us all of our vulnerability," Stoltenberg said. He called Wiermann a "highly respected former German military officer". The 64-year-old was Director General of NATO's International Military Staff until last summer.

According to Stoltenberg, the defense ministers commissioned the military level to provide concrete proposals for the protection of undersea pipelines. According to diplomats, this is about better cooperation between NATO countries, industry and the civilian sector, as well as the use of "innovative technologies" such as underwater drones.

In September, a total of four explosions in the economic zones of Sweden and Denmark in the Baltic Sea caused several leaks in the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, which were built to transport Russian gas to Germany. The pipelines were not operating at the time of the explosions but contained gas. According to Sweden, sabotage is behind the incident. Accordingly, explosive residues were detected. Suspicion was immediately directed at Russia, but Moscow denied any responsibility.

The US also rejected a report by reporter Seymour Hersh that US Navy divers were responsible for the blasting of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea last September. "This claim is completely and utterly false," said a spokesman for the CIA.