The German security officials interviewed by the newspaper calculated that explosive devices with an effect comparable to blowing up 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of TNT at the same time must have been used to sabotage the pipelines.
This information strongly suggests that only a state actor could have sabotaged the pipelines, as no other known organization would have the resources to plant approximately 500 kg worth of explosives in the Baltic Sea in a sabotage operation.
The German federal government is holding back on speculating even further. Its leading assessment is that Russia may be behind this action, a claim that Moscow has vehemently denied and instead has called the sabotage of the pipelines an act of terrorism directed against Russia. (Related: America likely sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines to provoke Russia and make Europe more reliant on American natural gas.)
Sweden, Denmark agree explosives caused the pipeline leak
The findings of the German officials who spoke with Der Spiegel are in line with all other evidence, including statements from Swedish researchers and a joint letter submitted by Denmark and Sweden to the United Nations Security Council.
Bjorn Lund, director of the Swedish National Seismic Network ruled out the possibility that the leaks were caused by an underwater earthquake.
The network recorded two explosions on Monday, Sept. 26. The first targeted Nord Stream 2, which was not yet operational, and had an epicenter to the southeast of the Danish Island of Bornholm. The second stronger blast targeted Nord Stream 1 and had an epicenter to the northeast of Bornholm. Nord Stream 1 still had natural gas in it even though Russia was limiting the amount of gas flowing into Europe at the time. Seismic stations in Denmark, Norway and Finland also registered both explosions.
"There's no doubt, this is not an earthquake," said Lund.
In their joint letter, the permanent missions of Denmark and Sweden to the United Nations noted that the pipeline leaks were likely caused by "at least two detonations" with the help of several hundred kilograms worth of explosives.
"At least two detonations occurred underwater, damaging the pipelines belonging to Nord Stream 1 and 2, causing major leaks of natural gas into the Baltic Sea," the letter stated.
"The magnitude of the explosions was measured at 2.3 and 2.1 on the Richter Scale, respectively, probably corresponding to an explosive load of several hundred kilos. All available information indicates that those explosions are the result of a deliberate act."
This joint letter was supported by a joint statement from the defense ministers of the Nordic nations – Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway – on Friday, Sept. 30.
"It cannot be ruled out that this is a reckless attack on Europe's energy infrastructure and an attempt to destabilize the already tense security situation," they said.
Learn more about the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage at Chaos.news.
Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how all signs point to the United States being the perpetrator of the Nord Stream pipelines sabotage.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
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Former Polish defense minister says U.S. could be behind Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions.
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TO ASHES: Desperate Europeans burn TREES for warmth following destruction of Nord Stream pipelines.
CIA recently warned Germany about possible Nord Stream pipeline attack, says German magazine.
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