If the Russians wanted to blow up this pipeline, they could easily arranged for an internal explosion. "Pipeline pigs" are mechanical devices sent through the pipeline for cleaning or taking measurements. The pig is placed in one end and pressure moves it to the other end. A pig could have been easily built to carry an explosive device.

The articles I read suggests the pipeline was blown up externally. It's kind of hard to believe that Russians torpedoed that pipeline to make it look like they did not do it. But maybe they did; their thinking these days is not exactly sane.

It's time governments stopped playing these silly games. It's time for a new way.