Russia targeting about 10 Estonian defence firms, security chief says

Russia is currently targeting around 10 defence industry companies in Estonia, Security Police chief Margo Palloson told ERR, adding that authorities had advance information about some threats.

Estonia’s security police regularly shares information with European intelligence services. Latvia provided information that helped authorities assess the attack involving Threod, Palloson said, describing it as a couple of pieces of a puzzle. Threod’s own security measures were very good, he added. The person seen driving around was a local security guard, not an agent of the security police.

Authorities work with the defence industry to anticipate and prevent attacks, including by briefing and advising companies. Palloson said the security police had identified more than 50 people over the years who had begun cooperating with Russian special services. He declined to discuss further details about suspected collaborators in Latvia, saying the information still needed to be checked.

People recruited by Russia have varied backgrounds, Palloson said. Potential recruitment channels include criminal networks and social media, while people in vulnerable socioeconomic situations or those who travel to Russia may be susceptible to pressure. Some people have accepted orders for sabotage or physical attacks for only a few hundred euros, he said.

Palloson warned that attacks on property can also put people at risk, citing cases in Europe that could have caused serious casualties. Asked about Prime Minister Kristen Michal’s proposal to prepare for closing Estonia’s land border checkpoints with Russia, he said such a move would reduce security risks. Travel between Estonia and Russia would no longer be possible in the same way, leaving Latvia as the route, and he said he hoped Latvia would take sufficient measures.