Estonia Says Russian Security Services Ordered Arson Attack on Milrem Robotics

Estonia has formally attributed an August arson attack against a facility used by defense technology company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn to Russian security services.

The Estonian government said on September 29 that intelligence gathered by the country's Internal Security Service, KAPO, provides grounds to state "with full confidence" that the fire was a deliberate act of sabotage commissioned by Russian special services.

The incident occurred during the night of August 15 at a building used by Milrem Robotics on Betooni Street in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district. Emergency services brought the fire under control and no lives were endangered, according to the Estonian government.

Three Latvian citizens suspected of directly carrying out the attack were subsequently detained in Latvia. Two were arrested on August 17 and a third on August 18. Searches connected to the suspects resulted in authorities seizing data-storage devices and objects believed potentially to have been used in setting the fire.

Latvia transferred the three suspects to Estonia on September 17 and 18, where they remain in custody. The criminal investigation into the exact circumstances of the attack is continuing.

Estonian authorities have not publicly disclosed the intelligence evidence on which the attribution to Russian security services is based, citing the confidentiality of security-service information. Reuters reported that KAPO's assessment was based on information gathered during its investigation.

Defense companies warned of sabotage threat

KAPO Director General Margo Palloson said organizations supporting Ukraine and defense industry companies remain at elevated risk from recruitment attempts, influence operations and sabotage.

Estonian authorities have consequently urged such organizations to strengthen both physical and cybersecurity measures.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry also summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires in Tallinn on September 29 to formally condemn the attack. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described the incident as part of what Estonia considers a broader Russian sabotage campaign targeting European countries and organizations supporting Ukraine.

Russia has rejected Estonia's allegation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the accusation as unfounded, according to international media reports.

Milrem plays growing role in European unmanned systems

Milrem Robotics is one of Europe's most prominent developers of unmanned ground vehicles and autonomous military systems.

Its THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle has been deployed in Ukraine since 2022 and is used for missions including logistics, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, engineering support and combat applications.

Milrem said in June that a production line established with VDL Defentec in the Netherlands is supporting the delivery of more than 100 THeMIS vehicles to Ukraine, with the first Dutch-produced units handed over earlier this year.

The company says the THeMIS platform is currently acquired by 20 countries, including eight NATO members.

Milrem has also expanded partnerships across NATO's eastern flank during 2026, including cooperation with Poland's PGZ Group and work with Hanwha Systems on autonomous ground systems.

The targeting of a company directly involved in supplying military robotic systems to Ukraine gives the Tallinn incident particular relevance for Europe's defense industry.

Estonia's attribution also highlights the growing security challenge facing European defense manufacturers as governments increase production, expand support for Ukraine and invest in new military technologies.

While the investigation into the operational details of the Milrem attack remains open, Estonian authorities have now publicly concluded that the incident was not an isolated criminal act but a commissioned sabotage operation linked to Russian security services.