The US government is obstructing efforts to investigate the sabotage of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines, which sustained major damage in a series of mysterious explosions last year, Russia’s embassy in Washington has said. 

statement late on Thursday night in response to recent comments from Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who insisted the United States had no role in apparent attacks on the two Nord Stream lines during a congressional hearing. 

“ongoing national investigations” in Europe, it continues to block Russia's own attempts to find answers.

Explanations from US officials do not “withstand criticism,” the embassy continued, “above all due to their lack of transparency and blocking access to PJSC Gazprom (the owner of the pipelines!) to determine the circumstances of the sabotage.”

At a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing earlier on Thursday, Blinken was asked whether he could “assure the world that no agency of the US government blew up those pipelines or facilitated that,” saying “Yes, I can” without elaboration. He previously maintained that sabotage on the Nord Stream would be “in no one's interest,” and has accused Moscow of “outrageous misinformation” on the issue.

“public threats” from American officials to “bring an end” to the gas lines – among them President Joe Biden himself – also noting prior “remarks concerning the unacceptance of mutually beneficial energy ties between the Russian Federation and Europe.” Given Washington’s opposition to an independent probe, it asked whether US officials have “something to hide.”

“We consistently and persistently call for the launch of an impartial and transparent international investigation into the attacks against the Nord Stream pipelines. However, the United States, along with a narrow group of like-minded states, vehemently oppose such efforts,” it added.