Estonia, a small NATO member bordering Russia, has accused Moscow of directing a thwarted arson attack against a major drone manufacturer and announced plans to close all border crossings with Russia.
Authorities in the Baltic nation of 1.3 million said they detained eight people overnight over an alleged sabotage attempt targeting Estonian defense company Threod Systems early Saturday. Officials said the operation had been commissioned by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.
“The objective was to cause an explosion and set the building on fire. We arrested the suspects quickly,” Estonia’s domestic intelligence service, KAPO, said, according to the German outlet Bild.
“We strongly advise against even considering such job offers from Russia. The consequences are severe,” KAPO added.
The border crossings are scheduled to close on Dec. 1.
“Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia will have consequences,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X Sunday.
All eight suspects are Latvian nationals, according to Estonia’s Ministry of Defense. Latvia, which also belongs to NATO, has a sizable Russian-speaking minority.
Prosecutors have sought arrest warrants for five of the suspects.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: NYC Driver Omatoyo Neverson ID’d in Fatal Belt Parkway Police Shooting
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said law enforcement’s “swift response” prevented serious damage to the drone maker’s facility.
He denounced the attempted attack as part of “the broader hybrid war that Russia is waging against Europe,” aimed at weakening Western support for Ukraine.
Russia had not immediately responded to Estonia’s allegations or the decision to close the crossings.
The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected claims from European governments that it is involved in sabotage operations.
The incident follows an arson attack in August against another Estonian defense manufacturer, Milrem Robotics, which is based in Tallinn.
Estonian officials also attributed that attack to Russian intelligence services.
Estonia, like its Baltic neighbors and fellow former Soviet republics Latvia and Lithuania, has been a strong supporter of Ukraine. The country has also sharply increased defense spending since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
With Post wires.
