Estonian teenagers offered arson and vandalism for hire

Teenagers in Estonia offered arson and vandalism services through an online forum, and Russian intelligence was among those ordering attacks, ERR reported in its investigative programme “Pealtnägija”. Experts say such operations are used to sow confusion and test how far Russia can go without triggering a direct military response.

One victim, identified only as Ruslan, said at least four cars he used had caught fire over the past three years. A camping cabin on his summer property was also targeted, and a building he owned and operated as a tourist centre burned to the ground. The 50-year-old Harju County business owner appeared anonymously because he believes his life and property may still be at risk.

Ruslan said people were always nearby when the fires happened, sometimes just metres away. After the incidents began, he installed surveillance cameras on police advice.

On October 31, 2025, two hooded men approached the gate of his home shortly after midnight. One carried a canister. They poured petrol over a car Ruslan used for work and set it alight. About an hour and a half later, two apparently similar hooded figures tried to set fire to a camping cabin on his summer property. The attempt did not cause a larger blaze.

ERR reported that the attackers were also carrying out an order from Russian military intelligence. However, Ruslan himself was not a target of the GRU: the attacks against him were driven by a personal matter, and the investigation into who wanted revenge was still ongoing.

Security expert Meelis Oidsalu said Russia’s sabotage operations across Europe were intended to create confusion and test the limits of what it could do before its actions were treated as open aggression. Kaitsepolitsei bureau head Marta Tuul said such attacks had become more dangerous, with explosives and arson being used, and warned that they could intensify as Russia became more desperate in its war in Ukraine.