Estonia accuses Russia of attempted arson attack on defense firm
"Estonia is preparing for the possibility of closing its border with Russia," said Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.
Estonia has accused Russia's military intelligence service of orchestrating an attempted arson attack on an Estonian drone manufacturing company, Threod Systems, in the early hours of Saturday. Prosecutor General Astrid Asi revealed that intruders attempted to break into the facility near Viimsi, Estonia, with the intention of setting it ablaze and triggering an explosion.
Estonian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kalamarski stated on X, "This is part of Russia's broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia. We will not be intimidated." He also announced Estonia's readiness to close its border with Russia to mitigate potential threats to national security.
Threod's security team managed to thwart the attack before it could inflict significant damage. Eight suspects, all from Latvia, were apprehended, with five subsequently remanded in custody. Estonia's Internal Security Service (KAPO) claims the attack was commissioned by Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. Threod specializes in producing long-range reconnaissance and attack drones.
The Estonian defense ministry emphasized in a statement on X that they would not be intimidated and would continue supporting Ukraine while standing firm against Russian aggression. This incident comes after an arson attack on Milrem Robotics in August, which Estonia formally blamed on Russian intelligence in September. KAPO has cautioned that Russia is increasingly targeting European defense manufacturers to disrupt military production and deliveries to Ukraine. The investigation into Saturday's attempted attack is ongoing.
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