Estonia’s Chief of State has accused Russian intelligence of ordering an arson attack on Milrem Robotics, a Tallinn‑based company that supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. The fire, which broke out on the night of 14‑15 August, left the company’s headquarters severely damaged.
Officials say the attack was a deliberate sabotage carried out by individuals linked to the Russian Federation’s special services. The crime was identified after the Internal Security Service (Kapo) traced the origins of the arson and uncovered a network of operatives living in Russia who had participated in previous hostile acts.
The Incident
The blaze occurred during the early hours of a Sunday, causing thousands of euros in damage and halting production of unmanned vehicles. The company was still in the process of shipping parts to Ukraine when the incident was discovered.
Official Response
Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed the attack was ordered by Moscow, though no supporting documents were released. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna added that three Latvian suspects, arrested in Riga, had been extradited to Estonia after the investigation. His office stated the operation was part of Russia’s broader strategy to intimidate European allies.
European Reaction
France’s President Emmanuel Macron condemned the escalation of hostile acts, noting parallels with earlier incidents such as the Leipzig airport drone assault. NATO’s Secretary‑General Mark Rutte urged European nations to remain united and to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of hybrid warfare.
Russian Denial
A Kremlin spokesperson dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and pledged that the Russian government would not be taken seriously. Moscow maintains that it is not involved in sabotage against European partners.
