European Commission and France back Estonia over arson allegation

Estonia’s government said on 29 September that its Internal Security Service had concluded Russian special services commissioned the fire at a building used by Milrem Robotics in Tallinn’s Lasnamäe district. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said he had full confidence in that assessment. The fire broke out overnight on 14–15 August, was brought under control and caused no injuries. [1] [3]

Latvia’s security service detained three Latvian citizens suspected of carrying out the arson. They were handed over to Estonia in September. As of 22 September, the suspects were being held on suspicion of damaging and destroying property; the prosecutor said that legal classification could change as the investigation continued. [1] [2] [5]

Milrem makes unmanned ground vehicles supplied to Ukraine. Its chief executive told Reuters in August that the fire had not affected production, supply chains or delivery schedules. [1] [6]

The criminal investigation is continuing. Reuters reported in August that the Russian embassy in Tallinn had not immediately responded to a request for comment when possible Russian involvement was first raised; Moscow has regularly denied allegations of sabotage abroad. [1] [8]

Update

European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said Moscow was trying to frighten Europe into reducing its support for Ukraine, but insisted it would not succeed. He was responding to Estonia’s accusation that Russian special services commissioned an August fire at a Tallinn building used by Milrem Robotics, which supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine.