Estonia: fire at defense firm Milrem Robotics was Russian-ordered arson

Estonia announced on Tuesday that the fire that broke out on August 15 at the headquarters of Estonian defense company Milrem Robotics was an arson attack ordered by Russian security services, as Reuters reports.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the conclusion rests on information from the domestic security service, KAPO. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the attack was “certainly” an act of sabotage “ordered by the special services of the Russian Federation,” in a statement to The Kyiv Independent, which he also shared on the X platform.

The fire broke out in the Milrem Robotics building in Tallinn’s Lasnamäe district. The flames were quickly brought under control and there was no danger to human life.

Three suspects were detained in Latvia days later and handed over to Estonian authorities on September 17 and 18. Estonia did not disclose the evidence, citing the confidentiality of the security services, but said the incident fits the pattern of other sabotage carried out on Russia’s behalf in Europe.

The Kremlin denied the accusation, calling it unfounded and saying it would not take it seriously. Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the case “extremely serious” and said Sweden stands fully behind Estonia.

Milrem Robotics produces the TheMIS unmanned ground vehicles, which it also supplies to Ukraine.