The Finnish government suspects that Russia stuck the [Finnish-Estonian] gas pipeline – press conference today

14 comments

1. Quick translation by Chat-GPT4:

   Headline: IL’s Information: National leadership suspects Russia has struck the gas pipeline – Press conference today.

   Subheadline: According to a source in foreign and security policy, the national leadership and the Defence Forces suspect that Russia has struck the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia.

   Article: A serious situation has occurred in the security landscape that affects Finland. Iltalehti reported on the matter on Tuesday at 13:03.

   A source says that the national leadership and the Defence Forces suspect that Russia has struck the gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia. The Defence Forces have been investigating the damage to the gas pipeline.

   Iltalehti has been confirmed by government sources that Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government will hold an extra press conference about the security situation, the exact subject of which has been strictly confidential and only known to the highest national leadership.

   Originally, the press conference was to be held at 14:00, but the national leadership has changed its timing.

   The Government Communications Department tells Iltalehti that the press conference will be held on Tuesday “at some point”, and the media will be sent an invitation at least an hour beforehand.

   IL has been informed that the situation is serious and the national leadership is preparing to inform about the events. At least Defense Minister Antti Häkkinen (kok) and Prime Minister Orpo are expected to be present.

   The gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia has been damaged and is expected to be out of operation for months. The Border Guard and the Defence Forces have been investigating the damage to the gas pipeline.

   An unusual drop in pressure was detected in the Baltic Connector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia on the night between Saturday and Sunday, just before two o’clock. The observation was made by Gasgrid Finland Oy and Estonia’s gas network operator Elering.

   It was soon confirmed that the pipeline had been damaged.

   The cause of the damage to the gas pipeline began to be investigated immediately.

   Sources in foreign and security policy tell Iltalehti that from the outset, the national leadership has considered it possible that Russia may have directed a sabotage attack on the gas pipeline that runs under the Gulf of Finland.

   Last spring, Iltalehti reported that the navies of Finland and Sweden had stepped up their readiness to prevent Russian attacks against the countries’ energy networks.

   Russian surface ships had been observed near wind farms and underwater electric cables.

   “We are convinced that Russia has done so, mapping targets in some way,” the commander of the Swedish navy, Ewa Skoog Haslum, told Iltalehti.

   Is there a risk that the Russians will sabotage and destroy, for example, underwater electrical cables?

   “Absolutely.”

   “They are a way to carry out an operation against us,” Admiral Skoog Haslum warned of the possibility of sabotage.

   Because a Russian attack on the energy networks is possible, the navies of the countries have been on heightened readiness to prevent sabotage.

   “That’s why we’re constantly trying to both thwart intentions by being near targets and showing our will to defend ourselves,” Skoog Haslum emphasized.

   The commander strongly condemned the mapping actions taken by the Russians.

2. Ask investigation group who worked with North Stream.

3. Russia say Finland did it though…

   Who really knows at this point?

4. Another reason why Europe needs to move to energy independence fast.

5. Finnish President Niinistö confirmed on [X/Twitter 10 min ago](https://twitter.com/niinisto/status/1711728052378480768) that the Finnish-Estonian gas pipeline (and data cables) were disrupted by “external action”.

6. Whowouldathunk that it would ultimately be Russia to spearhead the renewable energy revolution.

7. After tolerating the russian hybrid war against western democracies for 20 years maybe it is about time to respond.

8. Feels like we will reach a point where we can blame ww2 on russia, too.

9. Why would America do this?

10. related article in English https://yle.fi/a/74-20054419

11. We are speed running towards ww3 at this point….

12. So? I thought blowing up gas pipelines is ok….

13. But, but Russian state media assured me that it was the [perfidious “Anglo-Saxons”](https://www.reuters.com/article/ukraine-crisis-putin-nordstream-idAFS8N2Z80FZ)who were the culprits.

14. Ukraine needs more support.

    You cannot allow Putin to dictate the pace of what is happening.

    Especially Europe should do a lot more.