Estonia has summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires after its security service concluded that an August arson attack on defence company Milrem Robotics was a deliberate act of sabotage ordered by Russian security services.
Key facts
- Estonia's foreign minister called the attack on Milrem Robotics 'an act of sabotage ordered by the special services of the Russian Federation'.
- Security agency KAPO said the incident was 'deliberate and pre-planned' and directly attributable to Russia.
- Milrem Robotics supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine.
- Estonia summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires over the attack.
- Sweden said it stands fully behind Estonia, with close contact between the two governments.
Estonia has summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires after concluding that an arson attack on the defence company Milrem Robotics was ordered by Russian security services. The country’s foreign minister described the incident as “an act of sabotage ordered by the special services of the Russian Federation.”
Estonia’s national security agency, Kaitsepolitseiamet (KAPO), offered further detail on how it reached its attribution. The agency assessed that the attack “was a deliberate and pre-planned act commissioned by Russian security services” and said the incident is “directly attributable to the Russian Federation.”
KAPO said the modus operandi of the Milrem attack is “consistent with other acts of sabotage carried out in Europe on behalf of Russia.” The agency added that defence industry companies, particularly those involved in drone technology, as well as organisations supporting Ukraine, have been among the targets of Russian security services since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Milrem Robotics is an Estonian company that supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera. The fire at the company took place in August, with Estonia now publicly attributing responsibility to Moscow.
The attack drew support from Estonia’s neighbours. Sweden said it “stands fully behind Estonia,” with its government in close touch with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. “This pattern of attacks is directed against Europe as a whole. The aim is to weaken our support for Ukraine and to intimidate us,” it said.
The development comes amid broader concern over threats along NATO’s eastern flank. According to the Guardian, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recalled a drone shot down in Lithuanian airspace by NATO fighter jets two weeks earlier, saying “the repeated drone incidents along our eastern flank showed the evolving nature of the threat.” He added that the alliance is “adapting and reinforcing our posture against drones.”
The BBC reported that Russia has been accused of launching sabotage attacks across a number of European NATO countries that have been helping Ukraine.
Why it matters
The accusation adds to a growing list of alleged Russian sabotage operations targeting European countries that support Ukraine. It highlights how the war has extended beyond the battlefield to defence suppliers and infrastructure across NATO's eastern flank, raising the stakes for the alliance's security response.
Frequently asked questions
What is Milrem Robotics?
Milrem Robotics is an Estonian defence company that supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera.
Why does Estonia blame Russia for the attack?
Estonia's security agency KAPO assessed the attack was 'deliberate and pre-planned' and 'directly attributable to the Russian Federation,' saying its modus operandi was consistent with other acts of sabotage carried out in Europe on behalf of Russia.
When did the arson attack take place?
The arson attack on Milrem Robotics occurred in August, according to reporting from Al Jazeera.