Estonia Attributes Arson Attack on Defense Firm to Russian Services
Estonian authorities have concluded that an August arson at a defense company supplying Ukraine was commissioned by Russian security services.
Estonian authorities announced Tuesday that an arson attack in mid-August on a defense company supplying military vehicles to Ukraine was an act of sabotage commissioned by Russian security services.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that "such actions are absolutely unacceptable" and that Russia's charge d'affaires in Tallinn would be summoned to the ministry. The fire occurred overnight on Aug. 15 at a building in Tallinn used by Milrem Robotics, with the blaze quickly contained. Two Latvian suspects were detained in neighboring Latvia on Aug. 17, and a third followed the next day before being handed over to Estonia.
Milrem Robotics supplies THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. The Estonian Internal Security Service concluded that the arson attack "was a deliberate and pre-planned act commissioned by Russian security services." The agency noted in a statement that "the modus operandi of the Milrem attack is consistent with other acts of sabotage carried out in Europe on behalf of Russia," adding that it "assesses that the attack is directly attributable to the Russian Federation."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegations, stating that "such statements are unfounded, ill-considered, absolutely not reflecting the reality, not containing any substantiation whatsoever." He added, "We cannot take such statements seriously, and we won’t."
Moscow has faced widespread accusations from Western officials of orchestrating a campaign of sabotage and disruption aimed at undermining support for Ukraine and destabilizing European nations. The Associated Press has documented approximately 200 incidents of sabotage and malign activity across Europe attributed to Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. These incidents include alleged plots to set fire to warehouses, launch drones, attempt assassinations abroad, steal defense technology, and conduct cyberattacks on critical European infrastructure.
In a recent incident suggesting an escalation, Germany blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack laden with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michael wrote on X, "we will not be intimidated."