Estonia's prime minister, Kristen Michal, has directly rejected Russia's denial of involvement in an arson attack against a defence company, stating the attack was ordered by Russian special services.
Responding on X shortly after the Kremlin issued its denial, Michal wrote: "The arson attack against Milrem Robotics was ordered by Russian special services. This is part of Russia's broader campaign across Europe to intimidate us and weaken our support for Ukraine. It will not work. Our response will be the opposite: stronger security at home, more support for Ukraine and greater pressure on Russia. We will not be intimidated."
Government summary of the case
The Estonian government also published a summary of the case, confirming that the criminal investigation into the exact circumstances is continuing, but preliminary information indicates the attack was commissioned. The suspects believed to have directly carried out the arson have been apprehended and taken into custody and no longer pose a threat.
On the night of 15 August, a fire broke out in a building used by defence industry company Milrem Robotics on Betooni Street in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district. Emergency services responded immediately and the fire was quickly brought under control, with no lives in danger.
Suspects detained and handed over
On 17 August, two Latvian citizens suspected of carrying out the arson attack were detained in Latvia. A third suspect was detained on 18 August. Searches of locations associated with the suspects in Latvia resulted in the seizure of numerous data storage devices and items that may have been used to set fire to the building.
On 17–18 September, Latvia handed over all three suspects to Estonia.
