On Thursday, October 19, 2023, the Finnish police announced the completion of the technical part of the investigation into the gas leakage incident on the Balticconnector gas pipeline connecting Estonia and Finland. The incident occurred on October 8 in the Gulf of Finland and resulted in damage not only to the gas pipeline but also to the telecommunication cable of an Estonian operator.

During the technical phase of the investigation, Finnish law enforcement agencies collaborated with the Border Guard and Defense Forces. Several dives were conducted to the damaged section at significant depths. According to the police statement, Reuters reported that the samples collected during the investigative actions would be sent to the Central Forensic Laboratory of the Finnish Criminal Police for further analysis. Investigators and other authorities remain in the vicinity of the damaged area, and law enforcement plans to continue the investigation in the surrounding area.

It is worth recalling that NATO Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated that following the incident on the "Nord Stream" pipelines in the autumn of 2022, the Alliance had taken additional measures to protect underwater infrastructure. However, guaranteeing absolute protection for such objects is practically impossible.