Fire at Milrem Robotics ordered by Russia, concludes Estonian security service
Estonia accuses Russia of ordering a "deliberate and premeditated" incendiary attack on defence company Milrem Robotics in August. Three Latvian suspects were arrested and extradited.
Russia behind attack on drone manufacturer for Ukraine, says KAPO
The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) has concluded, following an investigation, that the fire that broke out at defence company Milrem Robotics on the night of 14 to 15 August was an attack that was "deliberate and premeditated" and ordered by Russia, according to CNN Portugal.
Milrem Robotics, founded in 2013, specialises in robotic and autonomous systems. The company manufactures unmanned ground vehicles supplied to Ukraine, used to deliver provisions, transport ammunition, evacuate the wounded and install mines. The company's chief executive declared to Reuters at the time that materials intended for Ukraine were not damaged in the incident.
The Kremlin rejected the accusations. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Russian presidency, characterised the Estonian allegations as "unfounded, thoughtless, bearing no relation to reality or logical basis" — a stance that Moscow has repeatedly adopted when confronted with accusations of attacks in NATO countries that support Ukraine.
Margo Palloson, director-general of KAPO, told ERR, Estonia's public radio and television broadcaster, that Russia is "constantly planning and seeking opportunities and people to carry out attacks". Palloson added that this incendiary attack was the first of the year to be successful on Estonian territory.
The perpetrators were identified and detained. They were Latvian citizens residing in Russia, with previous participation in other similar operations. Three suspects were arrested in Latvia and extradited to Estonia in early September. "Russia continues to seek opportunities to carry out sabotage and other hostile activities throughout Europe," Palloson stressed.
Margus Tsahkna, Estonia's Foreign Minister, placed the incident within a broader Moscow strategy. "This act of sabotage is part of a broader Russian campaign across Europe, aimed at intimidating and weakening support for Ukraine," declared Tsahkna. The minister further emphasised on social media that "Estonia is a difficult environment for Russia to carry out such actions, because we act decisively and rapidly to protect our state".
The Russian threat is not new for Tallinn. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Estonian authorities have arrested more than 20 people involved in attacks carried out at Moscow's behest, according to data from KAPO itself. Estonia, a former Soviet republic with a direct border with Russia, has maintained a heightened state of alert for years in the face of Russian aggression.
Source: CNN Portugal