Estonia’s Internal Security Service (KAPO) said that the arson attack on the building of defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn was an act of sabotage ordered by Russian intelligence services.
The fire broke out on the night of August 15 in a building on Betooni Street in the Lasnamäe district used by Milrem Robotics. According to KAPO, information gathered during the investigation provides grounds to link the arson to Russian intelligence services.
The suspects directly involved in the arson were detained and taken into custody. The criminal investigation is ongoing, Eesti Rahvusringhääling reports.
On August 17, two Latvian citizens suspected of organizing the arson were detained in Latvia, followed by a third suspect the next day. During searches of properties linked to the suspects, authorities seized data storage devices and items that may have been used to set the building on fire.
On September 17–18, Latvia handed the three suspects over to Estonia.
KAPO Director General Margo Palloson said that Russian intelligence services continue attempts to recruit and influence people in Europe, including for acts of sabotage. According to him, organizations supporting Ukraine and defense companies face an elevated risk.
Milrem Robotics manufactures THeMIS unmanned ground systems, which the company supplies to Ukraine in cooperation with European Union countries.
Russia denied Estonia’s accusations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called them unfounded.
