Estonia alleges Russian involvement in arson attack on defense company

Estonia on Tuesday blamed Russia for an arson attack on a defense company last month.

"Today, we can state with full confidence that the arson attack on Milrem in Estonia on the night of August 15 was an act of sabotage commissioned by the special services of the Russian Federation," Prime Minister Kristen Michal said in a news release to state broadcaster ERR.

Michal noted that their conclusion was based on the Estonian Internal Security Service's (ISS) investigation.

He reportedly described the sabotage as part of a Russian campaign in Europe aimed at intimidating the continent and reducing support for Ukraine and pressure on Moscow.

"Such activity is absolutely unacceptable and irresponsible," Michal said.

"Our country is an exceptionally difficult environment for an adversary to conduct such operations and similar activities have also been prevented before they could be carried out. Russia will not intimidate us or change our policies through such actions," he added.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also reaffirmed that their response would be the opposite of what Russia was aiming to achieve.

"Together with our allies and partners in Europe and beyond, we will increase pressure on Russia, tighten sanctions and seek additional ways to restrict the travel of Russian citizens to Europe," Tsahkna reportedly said.

While the criminal investigation into the incident is ongoing, preliminary information indicated that the attack may have been commissioned.

The fire broke out at a building used by Milrem Robotics, which reportedly supplied unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. No casualties were reported.