Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Saturday that British navy personnel blew up Nord Stream gas pipelines last month, a direct accusation against a NATO member of sabotaging Russian critical infrastructure.
The Ministry of Defence provided no evidence for its claim.
“According to the information available, representatives of this unit of the British Navy participated in the planning, provision and execution of a terrorist attack in the Baltic Sea on September 26 this year, blowing up the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines,” the ministry said.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence declined to immediately comment.
Russia has previously blamed the West for explosions last month that ruptured the Russian-built Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines on the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
But Russia had never given specific details about who it held responsible for damage to the gas pipelines, which were once Russia’s largest energy supply routes to Europe.
The Kremlin has repeatedly said the accusations against Russia for the damages were “stupid” and Russian officials have said Washington had a motive as it wants to sell more liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.
The United States has denied involvement.