The Kremlin calls for speedy investigation into Nord Stream blasts

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for speedy investigation of the Nord Stream gas pipeline blasts and publication of any findings.

The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines that link Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea ruptured in September 2022 due to unexplained underwater explosions.

Denmark and Sweden claim the explosions were deliberate, but have yet to determine who was responsible for the blasts. A joint investigation is being conducted by the two countries and Germany.

Last week, the Danish armed forces said they took 26 photos of a Russian vessel near the site of the blasts last September, just four days before three of the four pipelines ruptured.

"Russian ships sail in the Baltic, and this is normal. Everyone has hundreds of photos of Russian ships," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news conference when asked about the pictures.

"We insist once again: if there is any data, it needs to be published. The investigation into this terrorist attack must be transparent to everyone and must be accelerated. The world must know the responsible and perpetrators of this terrorist act," he said.

A joint letter from Denmark, Germany, and Sweden to the UN Security Council stating that their investigations had not yet concluded and could not be predicted.

In response to the blasts, Russia wants the 15-member council to request an independent investigation.

Western sabotage has been blamed by Moscow without providing any evidence. Neither the United States nor the Ukraine have claimed responsibility for the attacks, as has Russia.