Estonia says Russia ordered arson attack on defence firm Milrem Robotics

Latest updates

• 4:06am, 30 September 2026Estonia's Internal Security Service chief says the suspects are Latvians who had been living in Russia and had taken part in previous attacks, and that this was Russia's first successful attack in Estonia this year.

What happened

Estonia says Russia's special services ordered an arson attack on the defence company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn in August. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the attack was ordered by Russian special services, but gave no details. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Estonia can "conclude with certainty" it was sabotage, based on information from the Internal Security Service.

The fire broke out on the night of 14 to 15 August in a building used by the company in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district. The government says emergency services responded immediately, the fire was quickly brought under control and no lives were in danger. Milrem Robotics supplies Ukraine with unmanned military vehicles.

The Estonian government says two Latvian citizens were detained in Latvia on 17 August and a third on 18 August. Latvia handed all three to Estonia on 17 and 18 September. The government says they are in custody and no longer pose a threat. The head of the Internal Security Service told Estonian broadcaster ERR the suspects are Latvians who had been living in Russia and had taken part in previous attacks. He said this was Russia's first successful attack in Estonia this year, and that Russia keeps looking for people to carry out attacks. He also warned that people recruited for such operations may be misled or given false justifications.

The Kremlin rejects the claim. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the statements are "baseless, ill-considered" and have no relation to reality. Estonia has summoned the Russian ambassador. Michal said Estonia will not be intimidated and will respond with stronger security at home, more support for Ukraine and more pressure on Russia.

Allies are backing Estonia. NATO chief Mark Rutte said Russia is trying to weaken allies' resolve, but is failing. French President Emmanuel Macron, the Lithuanian foreign minister, the Latvian president and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also condemned the attack. An EU spokesman said the bloc will keep supporting Ukraine.

Key facts

• Fire at a Milrem Robotics building in Tallinn on the night of 14 to 15 August
• Estonia says Russian special services ordered the attack; Russia denies it
• Three suspects were detained in Latvia on 17 and 18 August and handed to Estonia on 17 and 18 September
• Estonia's security service head says the suspects are Latvians who had been living in Russia
• Estonia has summoned the Russian ambassador
• The government says no lives were in danger

What you need to know

• Estonian authorities say the suspects are in custody and no longer pose a threat.
• The criminal investigation is still under way.

What happens next

Estonia's criminal investigation continues, and the government says it will strengthen security at home, increase support for Ukraine and press for more pressure on Russia.

Still to be confirmed

• Estonian officials have not given details of how Russian special services allegedly ordered the attack.
• Russia denies any involvement, and no evidence has been made public.
• The exact circumstances of the fire are still being investigated.