Putin denies Russia damaged Baltic Sea pipeline, scolds West for Nord Stream

President Vladimir Putin on Friday dismissed as nonsense the idea that Russia damaged a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia, and suggested such claims were made up to divert attention to what he said was a Western attack on Nord Stream. Putin said that he had not heard of such a pipeline before, and that all statements related to the incident were simply intended to divert attention from the attack on Russia's Nord Stream pipeline - which he said was carried out by the West.

Damage to the Balticconnector pipeline and telecommunications cable was confirmed on Tuesday after one of the two pipeline operators, Finland's Gasgrid, noted a drop in pressure and possible leak on Sunday night during a storm.