Estonia no longer talks about suspicions. Russian secret services were apparently behind the arson attack that hit a building used by Milrem Robotics, one of Estonia’s main defense companies, in August. This was stated by the Tallinn government after more than a month of investigations. “We can say with certainty that it was an act of sabotage ordered by the special services of the Russian Federation,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said. The attack dates back to the night of August 15 and targeted a company facility in the capital Tallinn.
Based on the information collected by the Estonian Internal Security Service @kaitsepolitsei we can conclude with certainty that the arson attack on Milrem Robotics premises that took place on the night of 14–15 August in Tallinn was an act of sabotage ordered by the special…
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) September 29, 2026
Milrem Robotics produces unmanned ground systems, including THeMIS, robotic vehicles also used by the Ukrainian armed forces to transport materials, evacuate wounded and carry out battlefield missions. However, the fire would not have compromised production or deliveries destined for Kiev.
The investigation has so far led to the arrest of three Latvian citizens, who were arrested in Latvia and subsequently extradited to Estonia. According to the Estonian authorities, the fire was deliberate and planned in advance.
Attribution of the Milrem Arson Attack to Russian Security Services pic.twitter.com/OwZq9CQwdf
— Kaitsepolitseiamet (@kaitsepolitsei) September 29, 2026
The case fits into a broader picture of clandestine operations and sabotage that several European governments have attributed to Moscow’s services in recent years. The objective, according to Tallinn, would be to hit the infrastructure and companies involved in military support for Ukraine without leading to a direct clash with NATO. The Kremlin has rejected the accusations, calling them baseless.