“If Russia continues its hybrid operations in Estonia, and we know that Russian intelligence services exploit border crossings to exert influence over people, we must be prepared to reduce the risks we face. Closing the border would reduce the threat to people in Estonia and send a clear message that attacks on Estonia’s defence industry and defence capabilities are unacceptable,” Michal said.
According to the Prime Minister, Estonian defence companies were informed of the threat and given recommendations on strengthening security both before and after the act of sabotage carried out against Milrem on the orders of Russian intelligence services. Threod Systems followed those recommendations. “We do not warn about these threats without reason. Preparedness matters, and this time it clearly paid off,” Michal said.
The Prime Minister commended both the company and the security and law enforcement agencies that responded to the incident. “This is a good example of how much the state and businesses can achieve together to safeguard our security,” Michal said.
In the early hours of Saturday, an attempt was made to attack the Threod Systems building in Viimsi with the aim of causing an explosion and setting the building on fire. No one was injured, and the company’s production and delivery capabilities were unaffected. The Estonian Internal Security Service and the Police and Border Guard Board detained eight suspects. The Prosecutor’s Office has applied to the court to have five of the suspects remanded in custody.
The Estonian Internal Security Service assesses that the attempted attack on Threod Systems was carried out on the orders of Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU.
The suspects are residents of Latvia, and the investigation is being conducted in close cooperation with Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) and the Latvian Prosecutor’s Office.
Numerous recent incidents show that defence companies and organisations involved in supporting Ukraine are a particular focus of Russian intelligence services.
In September, the Estonian Internal Security Service announced that the arson attack against Milrem Robotics in August was an act of sabotage commissioned by Russian intelligence services.
Alongside sabotage, Russia uses cyberattacks, information manipulation and other influence tactics against European countries. The broader aim of these activities is to heighten uncertainty in society, divide Western countries and weaken their willingness to support Ukraine.
“Russia’s aim is to make us afraid, make us hesitate and weaken our support for Ukraine. Estonia’s response is the opposite. We will strengthen our security, work even more closely with businesses and our allies, increase pressure on Russia and continue supporting Ukraine,” Michal said.
“Estonia is safe and secure. Our state institutions are vigilant, and our people and businesses know how to respond. We will not be intimidated,” Michal said.
The Prime Minister has convened a meeting of the Government’s Security Cabinet for Friday to receive a briefing on the latest incident and the threat of sabotage from Russia, and to discuss further steps.
