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Estonia to Close Russian Border Crossings After Blaming Moscow for Attempted Arson at Drone Maker
Authorities say the closure will reduce hostile activity and sanctions circumvention after eight suspects were detained in a foiled arson plot.
On Saturday, November 14, eight Latvian citizens were detained after attempting to break into Threod Systems' property in Viimsi, north of Tallinn, to start a fire at 3.06 a.m. The drone manufacturer's security team thwarted the incident.
The Estonian Internal Security Service assessed that the attempted attack was carried out on orders of Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU. Officials believe the sabotage was part of a coordinated campaign targeting Estonia's defense sector.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal requested officials "prepare the necessary steps" to potentially close the Estonian-Russian border, stating the measure would "reduce the risks to our people and national security." The move reflects heightened concern over Russian operations.
This incident follows an August arson attack on Milrem Robotics, which officials also attributed to Russian special services. Prime Minister Michal characterized the pattern as "part of Russia's broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia."
Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro recently urged European governments to stop referring to Russian covert attacks as "hybrid incidents," arguing that arson, sabotage, and cyberattacks against defense sites constitute "state-sponsored terrorism." Taro estimated Russia accounts for roughly 90 percent of Estonia's internal security threats.
Tallinn announced that from December 1st it will close the three ground crossings that still remain open with Russia, after arresting eight people accused of trying to set fire to a company that manufactures drones for the defense