Estonia accuses Russian intelligence services of arson at a manufacturer of robots for Ukraine
The Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) has concluded that the arson of a building used by defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn was deliberate sabotage ordered by Russian intelligence services. The company manufactures unmanned ground platforms THeMIS, which are supplied to Ukraine.
Estonian authorities reported the results of the investigation on September 29. The fire occurred on the night of August 15 – at that time, the country's authorities were only checking for possible Russian involvement and emphasized that no final conclusions had been made.
Now KAPO has stated that the investigation established the intentional and pre-planned nature of the arson. According to the assessment of Estonian counterintelligence, the attack was organized on the order of Russian intelligence services, and the method of its preparation corresponds to other acts of sabotage carried out in Europe in the interests of Russia.
After the fire, law enforcement detained three suspects in Latvia, who were later transferred to Estonia for the investigation. As reported by Associated Press, two suspects were detained on August 17, and the third on the following day.
Estonia summons Russian representative
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called such actions unacceptable and announced the summoning of Russia's chargé d'affaires to the Foreign Ministry.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the country will not be intimidated by such actions. Estonian authorities view the arson in the context of a broader campaign of sabotage and other hybrid operations for which European countries accuse Russia.
As Financial Times writes, Tallinn considers it important to publicly establish responsibility for such attacks, since their goal may be to pressure NATO countries and weaken European support for Ukraine.
The Kremlin rejected Estonia's accusations. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian side considers them unfounded.
Milrem Robotics supplies ground drones to Ukraine
Milrem Robotics is an Estonian developer of robotic and autonomous systems for military purposes. One of the company's main developments is the tracked unmanned platform THeMIS.
These vehicles can be used for transporting cargo and ammunition, evacuating the wounded, reconnaissance, and other tasks. According to Milrem Robotics, THeMIS platforms have been used in Ukraine since 2022.
The company continues to supply equipment to Ukraine and is expanding its production in Europe. The Russian side had previously shown interest in capturing THeMIS: after these platforms appeared in Ukraine, the Russian Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies announced a reward for obtaining such a machine in working condition.
Thus, the version about possible Russian involvement in the August fire, which Estonian authorities investigated immediately after the incident, has now been replaced by an official KAPO conclusion: Estonian counterintelligence qualifies the arson as deliberate sabotage ordered by Russian intelligence services.
Based on: Associated Press, Financial Times, Milrem Robotics.
