UK sends frigate to North Sea to help guard against future attacks on Nord Stream

A frigate belonging to the British Royal Navy has been sent to the North Sea after suspected sabotage last week on the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the ship was working with the Norwegian navy "to reassure those working near the gas pipelines", Sky News reports.

European nations believe the damage to pipelines under the Baltic Sea could only have been caused by an attack, with Russia strongly suspected.

The Kremlin has denied it was responsible and instead pointed the finger at the West.

Russia's Gazprom said on October 3 that the pipelines had now stopped leaking. The gas giant said pressure had stabilised in the damaged pipelines and that it was pumping gas out of the undamaged string B of Nord Stream 2 so that its integrity could be checked.

Methane had been bubbling up since four leaks were found on the pipelines near Denmark's Bornholm Island.

A British defence source told Sky News they were likely premeditated attacks using underwater explosives.