There are now four leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines running from Russia to Europe, as NATO calls the damage 'acts of sabotage'

• Sweden said it had found a fourth leak on the Nord Stream pipelines this week.
• NATO said the damage was due to "deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage".
• Norway is mobilizing its military around its oil and gas assets, The Financial Times reported.

Sweden said it had found a new leak in the Nord Stream pipeline, bringing the total to four, as NATO called the damage "acts of sabotage".

The Swedish coast guard told the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper a fourth leak had been discovered on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that connects between Russia and Europe.

"Two of these four are in Sweden's exclusive economic zone," coast guard spokesperson Jenny Larsson told the newspaper on Wednesday night, adding that the other two breaches were in Denmark's zone, Reuters reported.

The initial leak was detected on Monday in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as a drop in pressure was observed in both Nord Stream 1 and 2. 

The European Union suspects sabotage was responsible for the leaks, while NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization – said in a statement on Thursday the damage was of "deep concern".

"All currently available information indicates that this is the result of deliberate, reckless, and irresponsible acts of sabotage. These leaks are causing risks to shipping and substantial environmental damage. We support the investigations underway to determine the origin of the damage," the statement read.

"We, as Allies, have committed to prepare for, deter and defend against the coercive use of energy and other hybrid tactics by state and non-state actors. Any deliberate attack against Allies' critical infrastructure would be met with a united and determined response."

The statement came after Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's secretary-general, met Danish defence minister Morten Bødskov on Wednesday and said he had "addressed the protection of critical infrastructure in NATO countries", per the Financial Times. 

"Russia has a significant military presence in the Baltic Sea region and we expect them to continue their saber-rattling," Bødskov told the newspaper. 

Europe is now bracing for more disruption as tensions escalate, with the FT reporting that Norway – now the EU's biggest gas supplier  – was deploying its military to protect oil and gas installations.

On Tuesday, German lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter called the leaks "sabotage" by Russia, while former CIA director John Brennan told CNN on Wednesday: "This is clearly an act of sabotage of some sort and Russia is certainly the most likely suspect."

Several weeks ago, the CIA told Germany that the Nord Stream pipelines could be attacked, Germany's Der Spiegel newspaper reported.

The Swedish coast guard did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.