Key facts
- Estonia is investigating a potential link between an arson attack on a defence contractor and Russia.
- The building targeted houses Milrem Robotics, a maker of unmanned military weapons systems.
- Suspects have been identified in connection with the arson attack.
- Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that attempts to intimidate or undermine security will not succeed.
Estonia is investigating the possibility of Russian involvement in an arson attack that occurred last week on a building housing defence contractor Milrem Robotics. Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced that suspects have been identified and that one of the investigative avenues is a potential act of sabotage linked to Russia. The building is used by Milrem Robotics, a company that produces unmanned military weapons systems deployed in Ukraine and other regions.
Earlier, a prosecutor informed public broadcaster ERR that the building was targeted late on Friday. The Russian embassy in Tallinn has not yet responded to a request for comment. Moscow has consistently denied accusations of orchestrating sabotage or other attacks outside of Ukraine, attributing such reports to anti-Russian propaganda.
European nations bordering or in proximity to Russia are increasingly concerned about the potential spillover of the conflict in Ukraine into NATO's northern territories. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda previously stated that intelligence indicated Russia was planning infrastructure attacks. In July, Poland also expressed concerns from Western intelligence agencies regarding the risk of Russian attacks on its territory and the Baltic states.