Estonia has accused Russian security services of ordering an arson attack on a defence company that supplies military vehicles to Ukraine.

The fire broke out on the night of August 15 at a building in Tallinn used by Milrem Robotics. The blaze was brought under control quickly. Two Latvian suspects were detained in Latvia on August 17, and a third the next day. All three were handed over to Estonia.

After a six-week investigation, Estonia’s Internal Security Service concluded the fire was a deliberate and pre-planned act of sabotage commissioned by Russian security services. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the actions absolutely unacceptable and said Russia’s charge d’affaires in Tallinn was being summoned to his ministry.

Milrem Robotics has supplied THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Estonia’s response would be stronger security at home and more support for Ukraine.

Moscow rejected the charge. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the statements unfounded and without substantiation. The Associated Press has tracked around 200 sabotage and malign incidents across Europe blamed on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.