Eight Latvian citizens have been detained after an attempted arson at Estonian defense company Threod Systems, which Estonia’s domestic intellegence service has attributed to Russia.
Prosecutor General Astrid Asi said at a press conference on Sunday that there was an attempt to break into Threod Systems’ property in Viimsi, north of Tallinn, to start a fire at 3.06 a.m. on Saturday (November 14).
The incident was thwarted thanks to the intervention of Threod’s security team, Asi added. The company did not suffer any significant damage.
Eight people have been detained, all residents of Latvia, by the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) and the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA).
Internal Security Service (KAPO) Director General Margo Palloson said counterintelligence confirmed that Russia was behind the attempted attack and that it was coordinated by the Russian military intelligence agency, the GRU.
Threod Systems produces both long-range reconnaissance and attack drones.
In September, a fire was reported at defense contractor Milrem’s office in Tallinn’s Lasnamäe district, believed to be arson carried out on behalf of Russian special services.
Other defense industry companies across Europe have been targeted in recent months.
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