Estonia accuses Russia of ordering arson attack on defence firm Milrem Robotics
Estonia has accused Russia of being behind an arson attack on the defence company Milrem Robotics, saying its internal security service concluded the fire was ordered by Russian security services. The allegation was made on Tuesday and concerns a blaze at the company's premises in Tallinn in August. Estonia said the case fits a wider pattern of sabotage activity in Europe that it says has been linked to Russia.
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Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the Internal Security Service, known as KAPO, had completed its investigation and found that the fire was a deliberate attack. The fire broke out in the early hours of 15 August, but Estonia did not disclose the evidence behind its conclusion, citing the confidential nature of security information. Minutes after the accusation was made public, the Kremlin denied any involvement and called the claim unfounded.
Milrem Robotics supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine, making the company part of the wider defence support network connected to the war. Estonia said the incident was consistent with other acts of sabotage carried out in Russia's name across Europe in recent months. The case adds to concerns among European governments about hybrid threats, including arson, sabotage and other forms of interference that fall short of open warfare.
The accusation also comes amid broader tensions between Russia and European states over support for Ukraine. Estonia, a Baltic state on NATO's eastern flank, has been among the countries most vocal about the security risks posed by Russian activity in the region. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that Russia's campaign of hostile actions was failing to weaken European support for Ukraine, according to remarks reported alongside the Estonian announcement.
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The Estonian claim follows a similar retrospective accusation made by Germany earlier this month, when Berlin said Russia was responsible for an incident involving a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig airport. Together, the cases reflect a pattern in which European governments have increasingly attributed suspicious incidents to Russian-linked sabotage after investigations. Estonia did not say whether any arrests had been made in connection with the Milrem Robotics fire.
What remains unclear is the exact evidence used by KAPO and whether the investigation will lead to any public charges or further disclosures. It is also not known how the alleged attack was carried out or whether anyone has been identified as directly responsible. For now, the case is likely to remain part of the wider dispute between European governments and Moscow over covert activity and support for Ukraine.
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