Finland found traces of “external activity” on the Balticconnector gas pipeline

Damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline between Estonia and Finland could have been caused by “external activities” reported in the Committee on Foreign and Security Policy of the Government of Finland.

“The premise of the discussion [с президентом Саули Ниинистё] “There were damages discovered on the Balticconnector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia, probably caused by external activities, as well as damage to the communication cable between Finland and Estonia,” the statement said.

The committee works closely with Estonia and other EU and NATO partners, the office added. It is clarified that deliveries are continuing.

Previously, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg assuredthat the bloc will give a decisive response if the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia is damaged as a result of a deliberate attack.

On October 8, the Finnish natural gas transmission system operator Gasgrid reported a drop in pressure in an offshore gas pipeline at night. According to the company, the cause could be a leak. The Finnish government later admitted that the leak may have been the result of a deliberate act.

The 80 km long bi-directional gas pipeline Balticconnector was launched in 2019. It runs through the Gulf of Finland and along the land route between the Finnish Inkoo and the Estonian Paldiski. Its capacity is up to 2.6 billion cubic meters. m per year.