Estonia blames Russia for August arson at defence company supplying Ukraine

Estonian authorities accused Russia of ordering an arson attack on Milrem Robotics in Tallinn on August 14–15, 2026, which supplies unmanned vehicles to Ukraine. Three Latvian suspects were arrested and extradited to Estonia. The Kremlin denied involvement, while NATO allies and EU leaders condemned the incident and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine amid a broader pattern of attributed Russian sabotage across Europe.

Quick Facts

Arson attack on Milrem Robotics facility
Estonian authorities attributed attack to Russian special services
Arrest and extradition of three Latvian suspects to Estonia
Kremlin denial of involvement
NATO and allied nations reaffirmed support for Ukraine

Estonian authorities concluded on September 29, 2026, that Russia ordered an arson attack on Milrem Robotics in Tallinn on the night of August 14–15, 2026. Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced that the Estonian Internal Security Service (Kapo) had determined the attack was a deliberate, pre-planned act commissioned by Russian special services. Milrem Robotics manufactures THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles supplied to Ukraine. No injuries were reported, and emergency services quickly extinguished the fire.

Three Latvian suspects were arrested in Latvia on August 17–18 and extradited to Estonia in mid-September. Security service chief Margo Palloson stated that the attack's methods were consistent with other Russian-attributed sabotage incidents across Europe, and warned that Russian security services continue recruiting operatives and planning further attacks, particularly targeting organisations supporting Ukraine and defence-sector companies.

Tsahkna framed the incident as part of a broader Russian campaign to intimidate Europe and reduce support for Ukraine. He announced that Estonia had summoned the Russian ambassador and said perpetrators "no longer pose a threat." The Kremlin rejected the accusations through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, calling them "baseless" and "ill-considered" with no factual foundation.

NATO chief Mark Rutte and leaders from France, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Germany, and the European Union issued statements of solidarity with Estonia and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. Rutte stated that despite Russia's "reckless campaign of hostile actions," the country is "failing on the battlefield in Ukraine and failing to undermine our unity and support for Ukraine." French President Emmanuel Macron warned that escalating hostile acts represent a "dangerous dead end" for Russia. Lithuania's Foreign Minister said Russia's activities extend beyond Ukraine's borders, and the EU pledged continued support for Kyiv.

The attack occurred amid a documented pattern of Russian-attributed sabotage across NATO-aligned nations. In August 2026 alone, Russia was accused or suspected of involvement in a drone attack at Leipzig airport in Germany, a warehouse fire in Bulgaria, an explosion at a munitions factory near Rome, an attempted arson at a Ukrainian drone manufacturer in Slovakia, and suspicious fires in Poland. The Associated Press has tracked approximately 200 incidents of sabotage and malign activity attributed to Russia since February 2022.

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Politics Technology World Ukraine War

#unmanned vehicles #Russia #Ukraine support #Milrem Robotics #arson attack #defence company #sabotage #arson #EU #security

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Why This Matters

Milrem Robotics supplies unmanned vehicles to Ukraine's armed forces; an attack disrupting production affects weapon system availability. Estonia's formal attribution of the arson to Russian special services, supported by arrest and extradition of three suspects, has triggered coordinated NATO and EU responses reaffirming defence commitments to Ukraine. The incident is documented as part of a pattern: since February 2022, approximately 200 sabotage and malign activity incidents have been attributed to Russia across NATO-aligned nations, creating measurable operational and counterintelligence burdens for European security services and defence industrial supply chains.

Timeline & Sources

Feb 24, 2022

Wire

Russia launched full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Aug 14, 2026

Wire

Arson attack on Milrem Robotics in Tallinn begins on night of August 14–15

Sep 29, 2026

Wire

Estonian authorities publicly accuse Russia of ordering attack; NATO and allied nations respond with statements of solidarity and support for Ukraine

Sep 29, 2026

Wire

Estonian authorities publicly announce conclusion that Russia ordered the attack

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