The pipeline in the Baltic Sea was probably damaged by the anchor of a Chinese container ship. Putin now relies on women in the war in Ukraine

After the damage to the Balticconnector pipeline in the Baltic Sea, researchers assume that the damage was caused by a large anchor of a Chinese container ship. A drag mark of one and a half to four meters wide can be seen on the seabed, leading to the location of the damage to the gas pipeline, Risto Lohi of the Finnish Criminal Investigation Department said at a press conference on Tuesday. An anchor was found a few meters away, which probably caused the track and the damage. It is believed that the Hong Kong-flagged ship “Newnew Polar Bear” caused the damage.

According to Lohi, the anchor was recovered Tuesday morning. Traces are visible that indicate that there has been contact with the pipeline.

The Balticconnector gas pipeline runs between Inkoo in Finland and Paldiski in Estonia through the Gulf of Finland in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea. She was damaged on 8 October. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö announced two days later that the damage to the line and a data cable between Finland and Estonia was likely caused by “external activity”. It is still unclear whether it was an accident or deliberate sabotage.

The Finnish police had already announced on Friday that they would concentrate on the role of the ‘New New Polar Bear’ in the investigation into the incident. The ship is owned by a Chinese shipping company. (sda/dpa)