Estonian drone maker targeted in 'GRU-ordered' sabotage attempt, PM says

Published on 15 November 2026 - 15:52 GMT+1•Updated 15:57 Estonian drone manufacturer Threod Systems was the target of a Russian intelligence-ordered sabotage attack on Saturday, Prime Minister Kristen Michal said. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The attempted attack, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, aimed to cause an explosion and set fire to Threod's premises, according to Estonia's Internal Security Service. In a post on social media on Sunday, Michal said "extensive damage" had been averted thanks to "heightened security measures and a swift reaction by law enforcement." The alleged attackers have been detained, he added. Local media outlets are reporting that eight people were taken into custody in relation to the incident. "This is part of Russia’s broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia," Michal wrote. Founded in 2012, Threod develops and manufactures unmanned aircraft and surveillance systems such as its Eos drones and eOpic electro-optical units. The company is based in Viimsi Parish, near the Estonian capital, Tallinn. The Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, or GRU, is Russia's military intelligence agency, and it is suspected of being behind numerous hybrid attacks on European territory in recent years. It is believed that the agency, along with other intelligence bodies in Russia, often attempts to recruit local assets to carry out sabotage missions. Michal said Estonia was now preparing to potentially close its border with Russia to "reduce the risks to our people and national security." It comes after Milrem Robotics, another Estonian defence firm, was hit by an arson attack in August. Estonian officials have said that attack was ordered by Russian special services. Sitting on NATO's eastern flank, Estonia and its Baltic neighbours have been particularly exposed to security consequences believed to stem from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and there have been rapidly increasing reports of cyberattacks, drone incursions and sabotage attempts targeting the region.