Military ships ensure security of Russian vessels building Nord Stream 2 to prevent possible provocations of foreign countries
MOSCOW. Aug 19 (Interfax) - The security of Russian pipe-laying vessels participating in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has been ensured by ships of the Russian Navy in order to prevent possible provocations of foreign countries, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Mikhail Popov said in an interview with Interfax.
"In the course of construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, ships of the Navy ensured the safe travel of the Akademik Chersky pipe-laying vessel and the Ostap Sheremet and Ivan Osipenko supply vessels from Vladivostok to Kaliningrad. The measure was taken due to the risk of provocations of certain states," Popov said.
European contractors quit the construction works because of the U.S. sanctions, so Gazprom said that "the Nord Stream 2 project, which is ready almost 94%, will be completed by Russia." At the moment, two Russian pipe-laying vessels, the Akademik Chersky with the dynamic positioning system and the anchor ship Fortuna, are stationed in German ports, not far from the pipe-laying route.