Estonian security service: Milrem arson was Russia’s first successful attack — ERR News

The arson attack on the building of defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn, Estonia, on August 15 was the first successful attack in the country this year carried out on the orders of the Russian special services of the aggressor state, Russia. This was stated by Estonian Internal Security Service chief Margo Palloson, ERR News reports.

The Estonian government, citing Internal Security Service data, stated that it considers the arson, with complete confidence, to be an act of sabotage ordered by Russian special services. Prime Minister Kristen Michal linked the incident to a broader Russian campaign in Europe aimed at intimidating countries that support Ukraine.

Most attempts were prevented

According to Palloson, Russia is constantly looking for people to carry out sabotage, but the Estonian security service has managed to prevent the overwhelming majority of such attempts. He did not disclose details about the thwarted attacks, noting that the service’s task is to disrupt such plans at an early stage.

The service chief said that Russian special services are trying to recruit people from different backgrounds, including representatives of Estonia’s Russian-speaking community, people from criminal circles, and citizens of other states. In the Milrem arson case, the perpetrators were Latvian citizens, he said. Previously, people living in Russia who can travel had also been involved in similar attacks.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Three suspects handed over to Estonia

Palloson noted that the main motive for recruited individuals is usually money. According to him, the perpetrators may not realize that they are acting in the interests of Russian special services.

On August 17, two Latvian citizens suspected of carrying out the arson were detained in Latvia, and another suspect was detained the following day. During searches, data storage devices and items that could have been used for the arson were seized. On September 17–18, Latvia handed all three suspects over to Estonia.

The criminal investigation into the circumstances of the arson at the Milrem building in Tallinn’s Lasnamäe district is ongoing. According to Palloson, the perpetrators were detained and remanded in custody. He also stated that organizations and defense industry enterprises supporting Ukraine are at increased risk and must strengthen their physical and cyber protection. Milrem Robotics supplies Ukraine with THeMIS unmanned ground platforms.