Security police: Milrem arson was the first successful Russian attack on Estonia this year
The government has concluded that the 15 August arson at the Milrem Robotics building in Tallinn was commissioned by Russian special services. The security police urge defence firms to strengthen protection.
All years as a table
| Year | Revenue | Profit | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 054 000 € | −24 095 000 € | 330 |
| 2024 | 20 521 000 € | −14 067 000 € | 243 |
| 2023 | 19 085 000 € | −4 936 000 € | 190 |
| 2022 | 9 250 000 € | −7 097 000 € | 166 |
| 2021 | 5 413 000 € | −1 207 000 € | — |
| 2020 | 8 518 871 € | 1 017 448 € | 115 |
| 2019 | 4 154 195 € | −1 082 316 € | — |
Margo Palloson, head of the Internal Security Service (Kapo), told ERR that the arson at the Milrem Robotics building was the first successful attack on Estonia this year carried out on behalf of Russian special services. On Tuesday, relying on Kapo intelligence, the government announced it had concluded with full confidence that the 15 August arson in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district was sabotage commissioned by Russian special services.
Palloson said this is not Russia's only attempt: the services are constantly looking for people to carry out attacks, but Kapo has prevented most such plans, which he declined to detail. The range of recruits is wide: members of Estonia's Russian-speaking community, criminal circles and foreign nationals. In the Milrem case the arsonists were from Latvia; in last year's Slava Ukraini restaurant arson they were from Moldova. Money is the main motive, and often the perpetrators do not know they are working for Russian special services.
The suspects were caught quickly. Two Latvian citizens were detained in Latvia on 17 August and a third the next day. Searches in Latvia turned up several data storage devices and items that may have been used for the arson. Latvia handed all three to Estonia on 17–18 September. The criminal investigation continues.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal called the attack part of Russia's broader campaign in Europe to intimidate supporters of Ukraine. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna promised that Estonia's response will be the opposite of what Russia wants: together with allies, pressure on Russia will grow, sanctions will be tightened and ways sought to restrict Russian citizens' travel to Europe.
Kapo says the threat of provocations and sabotage remains. Organisations and defence companies that help support Ukraine are at particular risk, and are advised to strengthen both physical and cyber protection. Milrem Robotics supplies THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine.
According to the business register, Milrem AS had revenue of €47.1 million in 2025 (2024: €20.5 million), a loss of €23.4 million for the year and 330 employees.