Arson Attacks Linked to Russian Intelligence in Estonia

Recent arson incidents at Estonian restaurants and supermarkets have been connected to orders from Russian intelligence, according to an Estonian court’s announcement on Wednesday.

This attack is part of a broader trend observed across Europe, with Western officials suggesting that the aim is to create divisions within Western societies and weaken support for Ukraine.

The Halju County Court in Estonia identified the attackers as cousins, both named Ivan Chihair and both from Moldova. One has been sentenced to six and a half years for his role in the arson, which the court stated was executed on behalf of Russian security services.

The other cousin, serving as an accomplice, received a two-and-a-half-year sentence.

The court detailed that the first Chihair was given directives from Russian military intelligence, specifically the GRU. He is accused of initiating a fire at a co-op supermarket in Osla village in January 2025. Following that, he allegedly set fire to a restaurant in Tallinn the next day at the direction of the GRU.

On January 31, 2025, Chihair drove with his cousin to the restaurant, where they committed the arson before leaving Estonia. The court noted that the cousin was unaware of his role in aiding the GRU.

Details of how they carried out the attacks were revealed; they broke windows, poured gasoline, and ignited the fires.

Cooperation among authorities in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland led to the arrest of a man in Italy, who was subsequently extradited to Estonia for trial, according to state prosecutor Trinu Olev AAS.

This arson marks the latest instance of aggression against Estonia since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Previous incidents included cyberattacks and vandalism against the vehicles of politicians and journalists.

Historically, attackers have been recruited from within Russia, especially from areas that border Estonia. The Estonian internal security services noted that the use of Moldovans indicates a shift in tactics, as adapting with dual citizens is becoming increasingly challenging for Russian intelligence.

Western officials have accused Russia of continuing an extensive obstruction campaign since the Ukraine invasion. In addition to arson, reports mention various attacks across Europe, including explosives and hacking attempts targeting politicians and critical infrastructure.

In response, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin, stated that the Kremlin has never encountered concrete evidence supporting these accusations and firmly rejected the claims of a broader obstruction campaign.