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 start a fire at a Threod Systems building in Viimsi, near Tallinn, on the early hours of Saturday.

Estonia’s foreign minister said Russia’s military intelligence service GRU was behind the attack and said all Estonian-Russian border crossing points will close as of December 1.

Margus Tsahkna said on X: ‘Russia must understand that hostile actions against Estonia come with consequences. Attempts to intimidate, destabilise, or undermine our security will not go unanswered.

‘Closing the border crossings will reduce Russia’s ability to conduct hostile activities in Estonia and strengthen our efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention.’

Estonia has three open border crossings with Russia in Narva, Luhamaa and Koidula, which admit pedestrians and freight goods.

Describing the ‘sabotage attempt’, Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal said ‘extensive damage was averted’ due to heightened security at Threod Systems’.

He added: ‘This is part of Russia’s broader hybrid war against Europe, with the aim of decreasing support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia. We will not be intimidated’

According to ERR, attacks intended to cause an explosion at the defence company and set the building alight.

No one was injured and the company’s production and delivery capabilities were unaffected.

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