Russia will not permit Western powers to dismiss the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 explosions as if they could be swept away with a casual shrug. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated this clearly in a briefing that was circulated by the ministry’s press service. She underscored that Moscow will not tolerate any attempt to minimize or hide responsibility, signaling that Russia expects full accountability and transparent inquiries rather than half measures or political maneuvering.
In her remarks, Zakharova stressed that Russia is watching the narrative closely. She insisted that the question of who benefits from the incidents remains obvious to observers and warned that any Western attempts to downplay or redirect blame would be met with firm resistance. The official added that there would be consequences for false framing of the events and indicated that Russia views the situation as a test of international norms and the integrity of investigative processes.
The affairs surrounding the damaged pipelines have prompted renewed scrutiny of the project’s infrastructure. Nord Stream AG, the former operator of the Nord Stream pipelines, has begun an assessment of the repairs required, with initial calculations placing the minimum reconstruction costs at around 500 million dollars. This figure highlights the scale of the disruption and the substantial resources necessary to restore the pipelines to service, should a determination be made to proceed with remediation efforts. The financial dimension underscores the broader strategic implications for energy supply routes and regional energy security in Europe and adjacent markets.
On September 26, authorities reported damage and gas leaks on three lines of Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2. Seismologists detected two distinct explosions along the gas conduits, an observation that has intensified calls for a rigorous, independent investigation. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has filed a case alleging international terrorism, signaling a serious charge that implies cross-border complicity or planning. In parallel, Swedish prosecutors opened an inquiry into the events, signaling a coordinated international effort to determine what happened, how it happened, and who was responsible. The constellation of investigations illustrates how the incident has become a focal point for debates about energy security, cross-border crime, and the enforcement of international law across multiple jurisdictions.