Arson Attack On NATO Defence Company: Estonia has accused Russian intelligence services of ordering an arson attack on Milrem Robotics, a defence technology company based in Tallinn. The accusation came after an investigation into a fire at a building used by the company in August.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on Tuesday that authorities had concluded the fire was a deliberate act of sabotage linked to Russia. “We can conclude with certainty that the arson attack… in Tallinn was an act of sabotage ordered by the special services of the Russian Federation,” Tsahkna wrote on X.
The fire broke out overnight on August 15 at a Milrem Robotics facility in Tallinn’s Lasnamäe district. Estonian authorities said the fire was brought under control and nobody was injured. Three Latvian citizens were later detained in connection with the suspected arson and were handed over to Estonia.
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Milrem Robotics develops unmanned ground vehicles and other robotic systems for military and security uses. Its equipment has also been supplied to Ukraine, making the company part of Europe’s wider defence industry supporting Kyiv.
Kremlin Rejects Estonia’s Accusation
Moscow has rejected Tallinn’s claim. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusation and said it had no factual basis.
“Such statements are baseless, ill-considered, have absolutely no relation to reality, and lack any form of reasoning. Consequently, we cannt and will not take such statements seriously,” Peskov told reporters in response to an AFP question.
Tsahkna said the people suspected of carrying out the attack had been arrested and “no longer pose a threat”. Estonia also summoned Russia’s charge d’affaires over the incident, according to reports.
Estonian authorities say the investigation has now provided enough intelligence to attribute the attack to Russian special services. The Estonian government’s statement said the conclusion was based on information collected and assessed by the country’s Internal Security Service.
Estonia Links Attack To Wider Russian Activity
Tsahkna also described the incident as part of a broader campaign that Estonia says Russia is carrying out across Europe.
“This act of sabotage is part of Russia’s broader campaign across Europe, aimed at intimidating us and weakening our support for Ukraine,” he said.
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European governments have increasingly raised concerns about alleged Russian sabotage, cyber operations and other forms of covert activity since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also said Russia continues what he described as a campaign of hostEstonia Accuses Russian Intelligence Of Arson Attack On NATO Defence Companyile actions against NATO members.
“Russia continues its reckless campaign of hostile actions against NATO allies. It is trying to weaken our resolve and stop our support for Ukraine,” Rutte told journalists.
Lithuania and Sweden also expressed support for Estonia following the accusation. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Russia’s “fingerprints are all over” the incident, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the attribution as extremely serious.
The Kremlin’s rejection means the Russian government’s involvement remains disputed publicly, although Estonian authorities say their investigation has established the connection. The case has added to wider concerns among European countries about covert attacks and sabotage linked to the war in Ukraine.
