Estonia’s security service says Russia ordered Milrem arson

Estonia’s Internal Security Service says Russian intelligence services ordered the arson at a building used by defence company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn. The assessment is based on information gathered by the agency, ERR reported.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the fire, which broke out on the night of Aug. 15, was part of a Russian campaign in Europe intended to intimidate people and reduce support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. He said Estonia was strengthening its preparedness and internal security.

The criminal investigation is continuing, and information gathered so far also points to the arson being commissioned, Michal said. The people suspected of carrying it out have been arrested and are in custody, the security service said.

Latvian authorities detained two Latvian citizens suspected of arson on Aug. 17 and a third on Aug. 18. Latvia handed all three over to Estonia on Sept. 17 and 18. Searches of locations linked to the suspects in Latvia yielded numerous data storage devices and items that may have been used to set the building on fire.

Security service chief Margo Palloson said Russia continued attempts to recruit and influence people in Europe to carry out sabotage. He said organisations supporting Ukraine and defence companies faced an elevated risk, and urged them to strengthen physical and cyber security.

The fire broke out at a building on Betooni Street in the Lasnamäe district of Tallinn. It was quickly brought under control, and no lives were at risk. Milrem Robotics supplies THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine in cooperation with European Union countries.