Estonia to close border with Russia after attempted arson attack

Estonia says it will close its border with Russia from the start of December after accusing Russia’s military intelligence service of ordering an attempted arson attack on an Estonian drone maker.

Intruders were found at Threod Systems in Viimsi, outside the Estonian capital, shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday trying to break into the building with the aim of setting it on fire and causing an explosion, Prosecutor General Astrid Asi said Sunday.

Following the incident, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X: “Following clear evidence that Russia’s military intelligence service GRU ordered a sabotage attack against an Estonian defense industry company, Estonia will close all Estonian-Russian border crossing points as of 1 December.”

He added: “Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences. Attempts to intimidate, destabilise, or undermine our security will not go unanswered.”

Threod’s security staff stopped the attack before it could cause significant damage, authorities said. Eight suspects, all residents of neighboring Latvia, were detained. Five have been remanded in custody.

Estonia’s Internal Security Service, known as KAPO, said intelligence gathered by its officers showed the attack was commissioned by Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. Threod makes long-range reconnaissance and attack drones.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said: “This is part of Russia’s broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia. We will not be intimidated.”

The latest attempt follows an August arson attack on Milrem Robotics, which supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. Estonian authorities formally blamed Russian intelligence for that incident in September.

KAPO has warned that Russia is increasingly targeting European defense manufacturers to disrupt military production and deliveries to Ukraine. The investigation into Saturday’s attempted attack remains ongoing.

This article has been updated.