Estonia’s Internal Security Service has assessed that Russian security services commissioned an August arson attack on defense company Milrem Robotics, calling it a deliberate and preplanned act.
The suspects were apprehended shortly after the attack and remain in custody in Estonia, according to a statement from the agency, known as KAPO. The circumstances of the attack remain under investigation as part of ongoing criminal proceedings. KAPO did not identify the suspects or say how many were detained.
KAPO dated the attack to Aug. 15. In a post on X, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna placed it at the company’s premises in Tallinn on the night of Aug. 14-15.
The agency said the method used in the attack was consistent with other acts of sabotage carried out in Europe on Russia’s behalf. KAPO assessed that the attack is directly attributable to the Russian Federation.
According to the statement, signed by Director General Margo Palloson, the assessment rests on analysis of intelligence information and cooperation with domestic and international partners. The statement did not detail the underlying evidence, and the attribution could not be independently verified.
Diplomatic Response
Based on KAPO’s findings, Tsahkna wrote that Estonia could “conclude with certainty” that Russian special services ordered the sabotage. He called such actions “absolutely unacceptable” and said Estonia’s Foreign Ministry would summon Russia’s chargé d’affaires that day.
The perpetrators no longer pose a threat to national security, according to Tsahkna. He described the attack as part of a broader Russian campaign across Europe aimed at intimidating Estonia and weakening its support for Ukraine.
Tsahkna said Estonia would respond by increasing that support and its pressure on Russia.
Estonia’s Ministry of Defence also wrote on X that the attack had been confirmed as ordered by Russia. The ministry said Russian sabotage in Europe is intended to undermine support for Ukraine and fuel fears of escalation.
Wider Sabotage Campaign
Since Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine began, defense companies, particularly those involved in drone technology, and organizations supporting Ukraine have been among the targets of Russian security services, KAPO said.
The agency and its partners have identified and apprehended more than 20 people involved in kinetic attacks carried out for Russian security services over that period.
People recruited for such operations may be misled, manipulated or given fabricated justifications to conceal the Russian state’s involvement, according to the statement. KAPO assessed that the activities aim to undermine European support for Ukraine and support Russia’s military aggression.
The agency urged industries, especially in the defense and security sectors, to maintain strong physical and cyber security measures and to watch for attempts to recruit people for sabotage.
KAPO assessed that the threat from Russian efforts to destabilize Estonian society will remain high in the coming years.
