Russia Ordered Arson Attack on Defense Company Supplying Ukraine, Estonia Says

An arson attack on a Tallinn defense company that supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine was conducted by Russia, Estonian security services stated on Sept. 29.

The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) said in a Sept. 29 statement that the targeting of Milrem Robotics last month “was a deliberate and pre-planned attack carried out on behalf of Russian special services.”

It stated that the Aug. 15 incident was similar to others conducted in Europe against defense industry companies, including drone developers and those working with Ukraine. These were also identified as having been targeted by Russian special services.

KAPO stated that a suspect was caught and taken into custody and that the investigation was ongoing.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna said his office has summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires.

“This act of sabotage is part of Russia’s broader campaign across Europe, aimed at intimidating us and weakening our support for Ukraine,” Tsahkna said in a Sept. 29 post on X.

Estonia’s response will be the opposite, the minister said, confirming that Tallinn will increase its support for Ukraine and the pressure it’s exerting on Russia.

According to KAPO, defense industries across Europe are being targeted by Russia. As a result, the Estonian Security Police are advising domestic companies to review their cyber and physical security protocols.

“Russia’s potential provocations and attacks are non-military threats that we must continue to take into account,” the Estonian security service stated. “We assess that Russia’s efforts to destabilize Estonian society and weaken support for Ukraine will remain high in the coming years.”

Russian Officials Reject Accusation

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitri Peskov rejected the accusation.

“Such statements are baseless, ill-considered, completely distorted from reality, and lack any kind of reasoning,” Peskov said, according to Russian state-run news agency TASS. “Accordingly, we cannot take such statements seriously. And we will not.”

After Russian Chargé d’Affaires Kamran Abilov met with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Embassy in Estonia stated that the ministry had not provided any evidence of Moscow’s involvement in the arson incident.

“We believe that such insinuations are aimed at maintaining the illusion of Russia’s participation in ‘hybrid attacks’ throughout Europe, the purpose of which is to justify to its own population the growing manifestations of aggression against Moscow,” the embassy said in a statement.

Milrem Robotics

Milrem Robotics described itself as a world-leading developer of autonomous systems and robotics. It stated that its products are used in robotics systems in 20 nations around the world, including nine NATO members, including the UK, the United States, France, and Germany.

It’s also supplying technology to Ukraine for its war with Russia, with its unmanned ground vehicles.

Responding to the announcement that Estonian authorities had linked the arson attack at their Tallinn facility to the Russians, Milrem Robotics said in a post on X that “whatever the intention behind the attack was, it does not change our work.”

European Solidarity

Several European leaders expressed their support for Estonia, including German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who said the Baltic ally has their “full solidarity.”

Wadephul said in a post on X that acts of hostility will only strengthen Berlin’s resolve to reinforce NATO deterrence and its support for Ukraine.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he is in close contact with his Estonian counterpart, Kristen Michal.

“This pattern of attacks is directed against Europe as a whole. The aim is to weaken our support for Ukraine and to intimidate us. It will not work,” Kristersson said on X.

“Together, we will increase support for Ukraine and take further measures against Russia, while continuing to strengthen our preparedness and resilience.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said such attacks will not deter allies’ unity nor their support for Ukraine.

“The proliferation of these hostile acts reflects a dangerous escalation on the part of Russia, which will only lead it into a dead end,” he wrote on the social media platform X.

The pledges to continue support for Ukraine come as NATO’s top military commander, U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, called for increased cooperation.

He said NATO allies subject to suspected Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks should reinforce their will to support Ukraine, in a bid to show Moscow that the strategy is not working.