Estonia accuses Russian intelligence services of ordering arson at defense-robotics company supplying Ukraine

Estonia has alleged that an arson attack on a Milrem Robotics facility, which supplied Ukraine with defense robots, was a Russian intelligence operation. The attack took place on Betooni Street in Tallinn on the night of August 14-15. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna cited information from the Internal Security Service to support his accusations.

He stated that this was part of Russia's campaign to intimidate and weaken support for Ukraine throughout Europe. In response, Estonia increased its support for Ukraine and pressured Russia to cease its aggression. The incident was initially reported by Russia's chargé d'affaires, Lenar Salimullin, who dismissed the claims as "groundless, ill-considered, completely at odds with reality, and without any supporting arguments."

The arson caused minor damage and no one was injured. Three Latvian citizens were arrested in connection with the incident. Milrem Robotics manufactures unmanned military ground vehicles, many of which are utilized by Ukraine. Russia had offered a reward of two million rubles in 2022 for locating and returning THeMIS tracked robots to their side.