Estonia’s Internal Security Service (KAPO) says Russian security services commissioned an Aug. 15 arson attack on Milrem Robotics in Tallinn, while Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna says the number of similar attacks is increasing across Europe.
KAPO said its conclusion drew on intelligence analysis and cooperation with Estonian and international partners. The agency has not made its evidence public and said investigators are still examining the circumstances.
In an interview published Friday, Tsahkna told France 24 that sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation are among the pressures facing Europe. “We see an increase in the number of these attacks,” he said. He did not give a count or identify the period behind the comparison. Tsahkna also warned of terrorist attacks, while Estonian and Latvian authorities have described the Milrem incident as arson or sabotage rather than a terrorist offense.
Latvia’s State Security Service said three Latvian citizens were suspected of carrying out the arson. Two were detained Aug. 17 and the third Aug. 18; KAPO said all three are in custody in Estonia. The Estonian Prosecutor’s Office said no one was injured, and its Aug. 18 update said officials were still assessing the damage.
KAPO said joint work with partner agencies had led to more than 20 people being identified and apprehended in connection with physical attacks for Russian security services since Russia’s war against Ukraine began. The agency says those operations are intended to reduce European support for Ukraine. Estonia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires on Sept. 29 over the Milrem attack.
Russia disputed Estonia’s attribution. The Associated Press reported that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the claims unfounded; Interfax also reported his denial. KAPO said its investigation into the Milrem arson is continuing.
