N環球 
Estonia accuses Russian intelligence of ordering arson attack on defense firm supplying Ukraine
Estonia said September 29 that an August 15 arson attack on Milrem Robotics, whose unmanned ground vehicles are supplied to Ukraine, was sabotage commissioned by Russian intelligence. Tallinn summoned Russia's envoy; Moscow denies the claim.
Why it matters
Estonia said Tuesday, September 29, that an arson attack last month on Milrem Robotics — a Tallinn defense company whose THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles are supplied to Ukraine — was a deliberate act of sabotage commissioned by Russian security services. It is one of the few times a NATO member has publicly attributed a specific act of sabotage to Russian intelligence, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte backed Estonia while saying alleged Russian hybrid operations would not force allies to reduce support for Ukraine.
What happened
The fire broke out overnight on August 15 at a building in Tallinn used by Milrem Robotics and was quickly brought under control. Two suspects were detained in Latvia on August 17 and a third the next day; all three, Latvian citizens, were handed over to Estonia. Estonia's Internal Security Service concluded the attack was "deliberate and pre-planned" and that its method matches other suspected Russian sabotage operations in Europe. The company says production and deliveries were not disrupted.
Diplomatic fallout
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the attack "absolutely unacceptable" and summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires in Tallinn. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Estonia's answer would be "the opposite: stronger security at home, more support for Ukraine and greater pressure on Russia," adding, "We will not be intimidated." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the accusation as "unfounded" and said Moscow would not take it seriously. The Associated Press has tracked roughly 200 incidents of sabotage and malign activity across Europe blamed on Russia since February 2022.
Sources: Associated Press (Tallinn), Estonian Internal Security Service, September 29, 2026.
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