Estonia to Close Russian Border Crossings After Blaming Moscow for Attempted Arson at Drone Maker
Authorities say the GRU-ordered plot was stopped before major damage, and eight suspects were detained as Estonia tightens security.
- 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.
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Estonia Blames Moscow for Foiled Arson Plot as Russia Border Closure Raises Fears of a Wider Security Crisis
Estonia plans to close its three road crossings with Russia on 1 December after officials accused Moscow of directing an attempted arson attack on drone manufacturer Threod Systems.
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
All border crossings between Estonia and Russia will be closed from 1 December
Estonija će zatvoriti sve granične prijelaze s Rusijom od 1. prosinca, rekao je u nedjelju ministar vanjskih poslova te baltičke države, nakon sumnje na pokušaj sabotaže u estonskoj obrambenoj tvrtki, za koji je Tallinn optužio Moskvu. Estonske vlasti […] Objava Estonija zatvara granicu s Rusijom od 1. prosinca. Privedena osmorica zbog podmetanja požara pojavila se prvi puta na Novi list.
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