Estonia closes border with Russia after arson attack on defence firm

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 16:01 · Archive

Estonia is closing all border crossings with Russia from December after accusing Russian military intelligence of ordering an arson attack on a drone maker.

Estonia will close all border crossings with Russia from 1 December following an attempted arson attack on Threod Systems, a drone maker in Viimsi outside Tallinn, on Saturday. Eight residents of Latvia were detained after being found trying to break into the building early on Saturday morning, with five remanded in custody. Prosecutor General Astrid Asi said the intruders aimed to set fire to the building and cause an explosion.

Threod's security staff stopped the attack before it could cause significant damage. Estonia's Internal Security Service said its intelligence showed Russia's GRU military intelligence agency commissioned the attack. Threod makes long-range reconnaissance and attack drones used in Ukraine.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna wrote on X that closing the three border crossings at Narva, Luhamaa and Koidula would 'reduce Russia's ability to conduct hostile activities in Estonia and strengthen our efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention'. Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the attack was 'part of Russia's broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia'. The latest incident follows an August arson attack on Milrem Robotics, which supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine, for which Estonian authorities blamed Russian intelligence in September.

How it is being reported

• Estonia to CLOSE Russian border in two weeks after 'sabotage' attackThe Baltic country said Russia military intelligence service tried to arson attack a drone factory but was thwarted by Estonian officials.Daily Mail · 15 Nov, 15:54
• Estonia to shut Russian border with Putin 'plotting NATO attack'Prime minister Kristen Michal also warned that 'necessary steps' should be taken to close Estonia's eastern border with Russia after an attempted arson attackThe Mirror · 15 Nov, 15:47
• Estonia closes Russian border after secret service ‘orders sabotage attack’Prime Minister Kristen Michal said Estonia ‘will not be intimidated’ (Picture: Liam McBurney/Press Association) Estonia will close their border crossings with Russia after ‘clear evidence’ Putin ordered a ‘sabotage attack’ against a defence company. Eight Latvians were arrested after an attempt to…Metro · 15 Nov, 15:43
• Estonia accuses Russia of attempted arson attack on defense firm"Estonia is preparing for the possibility of closing its border with Russia," said Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal.Politico Europe · 15 Nov, 14:32

In this story: Estonia · Russia · Threod Systems · GRU · Kristen Michal · Margus Tsahkna · Latvia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log