Nord Stream pipelines supplying gas from Russia 'under attack' as pressure drops

Sudden drop in pressure on Nord Stream pipelines due to leak after they are believed to have been attacked, an official has reportedly said the German economy The Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline photographed in Lubmin, Germany (

Image: Reuters)

Gas pipelines connecting Russia to the rest of Europe appear to have been sabotaged after suffering a sudden drop in pressure, a German economics official reportedly said.

The now defunct Russian company Nord Stream 2 suffered a gas leak and it has now been followed by a pressure drop on Nord Stream 1, with German officials believing the pipelines were attacked.< /p>

Supply was not impacted as no gas was sent through the pipelines.

The Nord Stream pipelines have been one of the flashpoints in an escalating energy war between Europe and Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, which undermined the major Western economies and driving up gas prices.

The German government has been in contact with Danish authorities and says it is working with local law enforcement to find out what caused the sudden drop in pressure in the pipeline.

German officials believe the pipelines were sabotaged (

Picture:

HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

And a German economics official said, 'We can't imagine a scenario that isn't a targeted attack,' the publication reported

They added: "Everything speaks against coincidence."

On Monday evening, the operator of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which had been operating at reduced capacity since mid-June before completely stopping supply in August, revealed a drop in pressure on both lines of the pipeline.< /p>

"The reasons are being investigated," Nord Stream AG said on its website, without disclosing further information.

German network regulator chairman Klaus Mueller said