Russia launches sabotage attacks on weapons factories in Europe

Milo Pope | Live News reporter Published August 24, 2026 11:55am Updated August 24, 2026 11:56am Several explosions have been reported at major arms manufacturers this month (Picture: Alamy Live News) Russia has been suspected of launching several attacks on weapons and defence factories across Europe as part of a ‘destabilisation campaign’. The alleged operations are thought to be designed to test NATO’s resolve while stopping short of triggering Article 5, which is the alliance’s mutual defence clause. Last week,Latvia detained three of its own nationals over a suspected arson attack on a drone manufacturer in neighbouring Estonia. A building belonging to Milrem Robotics, a Tallinn-based company supplying weapons to Ukraine, was set alight on August 15. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mi