Estonia blames Russian secret services for arson attack

It was mid-August - a fire broke out at the building of a military systems manufacturer in Tallinn, Estonia, which was quickly brought under control. The authorities launched an investigation that has now come to the conclusion: Russia is behind it. Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced this, citing the results of investigations by the security authorities. The Estonian Foreign Ministry summoned the charge d'affaires of the Russian Embassy. The Baltic EU and NATO state has a border with Russia.

"Today we can say with certainty that the arson attack on the Milrem Robotics defense company on the night of August 14th to 15th was an act of sabotage ordered by the Russian secret services," Michal said. The Estonian domestic secret service came to this conclusion after a thorough evaluation of the information collected. The suspected perpetrators were arrested.

“Such activities are absolutely unacceptable and irresponsible,” said Michal. At the same time, in his opinion, they illustrate Moscow's growing desperation in a situation in which Russia cannot achieve the goals of its aggression against Ukraine.

Russia denies allegations

Russia rejected the Estonian allegations. The accusations are unfounded, ill-considered and should not be taken seriously, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the Russian state agency Tass.

Estonian security police chief Margo Palloson said Russia was constantly planning such activities and was looking for opportunities and people who could carry out the acts. "We prevented the vast majority of attacks," he told Estonian radio, without providing further details. Palloson emphasized that Estonia is a safe country. Estonia has 1.2 million inhabitants and borders Russia to the east.

Poland complains about Russian attacks in the border area

Poland also has to deal with increasing Russian attacks - on the border with Ukraine. Drone attacks are now a permanent occurrence there, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Polish Air Force fighter jets would take off every night because Russia's attacks in this region had taken on a "permanent character," Tusk told a cabinet meeting in Warsaw. His country faces difficult weeks and months ahead.

In view of the new findings in Estonia, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul assured the country of Germany's "full solidarity".

Statement of solidarity from NATO Secretary General Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also emphasized that Moscow's "ruthless campaign of hostile actions against NATO allies" would not undermine the unity of the allies and their support for Ukraine. "Russia will fail," he said in Brussels. He called on NATO countries to “stay calm, carry on and support Ukraine.”

Estonia has accused Russia of “hybrid” provocations several times since its war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022. Like the other two Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia is a supporter of Ukraine and has significantly increased its defense spending since the start of the war.