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Estonia Says Russian Intelligence Orchestrated Arson at Milrem Robotics

The government cited its security service’s findings and warned the attack was meant to intimidate European backers of Ukraine, with officials pledging tougher measures against Moscow.

Overview

  • A fire was set at a Milrem Robotics building in Tallinn on August 15; emergency crews contained the blaze and no one was hurt.
  • On September 29 Prime Minister Kristen Michal, citing the Estonian Internal Security Service, publicly attributed the August 15 arson to Russian intelligence and called it part of a campaign to weaken support for Ukraine.
  • Latvian authorities detained three Lithuanian nationals in mid‑August, seized multiple data drives and items linked to the investigation, and those suspects were extradited to Estonia on September 17–18 to face questioning.
  • The Kremlin rejected the accusations as unfounded, and NATO and EU officials expressed support for Estonia while Tallinn said it will step up pressure on Moscow.
  • Estonian security officials warned the risk to defence companies and pro‑Ukraine groups remains elevated, and they signalled tighter protective measures, possible new restrictions on Russia, and heightened regional vigilance.