Traces of explosives have been found at the site of the damaged Nord Stream pipelines, say Swedish investigators.
The discovery suggests the pipelines were damaged by “gross sabotage”, a Swedish prosecutor said.
Authorities in Sweden and Denmark are investigating four holes in the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines that connect Russia and Germany via the Baltic Sea and have become a hot spot in the Ukraine crisis.
The discoveries come after a preliminary investigation last month showed that the leaks on the main gas route had been caused by powerful explosions.
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At least 50 meters of pipeline are said to be missing from Nord Stream 1 following the September 26 damage.
Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in the attack on the pipeline and made a series of wild claims that Britain’s Royal Navy was responsible.
“The analysis that has just been carried out shows traces of explosives on several of the objects that have been recovered,” the Swedish prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
“The investigation is very complex and comprehensive. The ongoing investigation will determine if any suspects can be identified,” he added.
Moscow will wait until a full assessment of the damage is done before deciding on any repairs, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
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It comes as fighting continues in Ukraine, with Russian forces preparing in the event of further major Ukrainian breakthroughs, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.
In its Friday intelligence update, the Defense Ministry said Russian units had built new trench systems near the Crimean border, as well as between the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The ministry goes on to say that it is “likely” that Russia will eventually try to redeploy some of the forces recovered from Kherson to reinforce and expand its offensive operations near the town of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region.
