Estonia to close all Russia crossings after attempted attack on drone maker

Estonia will close all border crossing points with Russia from 1 December, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced on 15 November after an attempted arson attack at drone maker Threod Systems in Viimsi, north of Tallinn. Estonian authorities said the attack was ordered by Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU; that allegation remains under investigation.

• The closure will cover all Estonian-Russian crossing points from 1 December, Tsahkna said.
• Eight suspects, all residents of Latvia, were detained; POLITICO reported that five were remanded in custody.
• The attempted attack at Threod Systems was stopped before significant damage, according to Estonian authorities.

What happened at Threod Systems

Prosecutor General Astrid Asi said intruders were found at the company shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday, 14 November, trying to break into the building to set it on fire and cause an explosion. Threod makes long-range reconnaissance and attack drones.

Eight suspects, all residents of neighbouring Latvia, were detained, POLITICO reported; five had 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. The investigation was ongoing.

Why Estonia is closing the crossings

Tsahkna cited what he called “clear evidence” that the GRU had ordered an attack on an Estonian defence industry company. He said he had informed his Finnish, Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts of the closure. Prime Minister Kristen Michal described the incident as part of what he called Russia’s “broader hybrid war against Europe”, aimed at reducing support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia, and said Estonia “will not be intimidated”.

Metro identified Narva, Luhamaa and Koidula as Estonia’s three open crossings with Russia, which handle both pedestrians and freight. Estonia’s announcement applies to all crossings from 1 December; the reports do not detail how those services will operate after the closure.

Earlier attack on an Estonian defence company

The Threod incident follows an attempted arson at Tallinn-based defence subcontractor Milrem in August. POLITICO reported that Estonian authorities formally blamed Russian intelligence for that incident in September. Milrem supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine, the outlet reported.

KAPO has warned that Russia is increasingly targeting European defence manufacturers to disrupt military production and deliveries to Ukraine, POLITICO reported. Russia’s Foreign Ministry had been contacted for comment on the Threod allegations, but POLITICO’s report did not include a response.