Europe faces threat of organised sabotage and terrorist attacks, warns Estonian FM

Margus Tsahkna cites recent attack on defence industry company and a surge in hybrid warfare from Russia

By LineZotpaper

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has warned that Europe is facing a rising wave of organised sabotage, terrorist attacks and cyberattacks orchestrated by Russia, citing a recent attack on an Estonian defence industry company that was attributed to Russian secret services. In an interview with France 24, Tsahkna said Russia was 'increasing the pressure on Europe' through hybrid tactics aimed at dividing societies and weakening unity, while its conventional military capabilities had been degraded by the war in Ukraine.

Tsahkna said Estonia had attributed a 'serious attack' against one of its defence industry companies to Russian secret services three weeks ago, with three suspects arrested and now in prison. He described a pattern of escalating hybrid warfare: 'We have witnessed terrorist attacks, sabotage attacks, against the defence industry companies. We see an increase in the number of these attacks. But we also see that they are not against the Baltic States as much as against Europe as a whole.'

Drawing a distinction between hybrid threats and Russia's conventional military power, Tsahkna said that when he served as defence minister in 2016-2017, 120,000 Russian troops were stationed close to Estonia's border, ready to move within 48 hours. 'These troops were literally sent to Ukraine; they are not existing anymore. They are dead,' he said. He stressed that NATO forces, including French troops stationed in Estonia, and robust regional defence plans meant the military threat was now less of a concern than the need to maintain European unity.

Tsahkna also warned against Europe adopting a neutral mediating role in any ceasefire talks. 'We cannot let ourselves be dragged into the mediating position that Putin really wants: appointing a special envoy and then trying to mediate between Ukraine and Russia,' he said. He noted that Europe must remain part of the process but cannot stop sanctions or return frozen assets.

On recent protests and violence in France, Tsahkna said unity was vital. 'Divisions in society are making you weaker as a country and as a nation,' he said, though he added that the situation was a matter for the French people to resolve.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Hybrid warfare tactics such as sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation directly threaten critical infrastructure and social cohesion across Europe.
Any erosion of European unity or adoption of a neutral stance on Ukraine could weaken the collective response to Russian aggression.
Attacks on defence industry companies could disrupt arms supplies to Ukraine and European military readiness.

Background

Estonia, a NATO and EU member sharing a border with Russia, has long warned of Russian hybrid operations. The Baltic states have experienced repeated cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and suspected sabotage incidents in recent years. Tsahkna's remarks come amid heightened tensions as the war in Ukraine continues and European countries face internal political divisions, including protests in France ahead of upcoming elections.

Key Perspectives

Estonia (Foreign Minister Tsahkna): Russia is deliberately escalating hybrid attacks across Europe to test unity and cohesion. The military threat has diminished due to losses in Ukraine, but NATO deterrence remains solid. NATO allies: French troops rotate through Estonia as part of NATO's enhanced forward presence, demonstrating commitment to Article 5 collective defence. European partners: Tsahkna argues that Europe must stay engaged in Ukraine diplomacy without becoming a neutral mediator or easing sanctions.

What to Watch

Further reported sabotage attacks or attempted attacks on European critical infrastructure and defence companies.
The outcome of French elections in 2027, which Tsahkna highlighted as crucial for European unity.
Any diplomatic moves toward a ceasefire in Ukraine and whether Europe is included or marginalised in negotiations.

Sources

Europe faces threat of organised sabotage, terrorist attacks: Estonian FM Tsahkna · France 24 Europe

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says Europe faces a threat of organised sabotage and terrorist attacks, warned of by Estonia’s foreign minister.France 24 Europe: “Europe faces threat of organised sabotage, terrorist attacks: Estonian FM Tsahkna.”
Not in the sourcesThe story identifies the Estonian foreign minister as Margus Tsahkna.France 24 Europe
Partly supportedRussia is orchestrating a rising wave of sabotage, terrorist attacks and cyberattacks across Europe.France 24 Europe: “We just attributed, three weeks ago, one serious attack against our defence industry company organised by the Russian secret services. ... We see an increase in the number of these attacks.”
SupportedTsahkna said Russia was “increasing the pressure on Europe”.France 24 Europe: “Russia is increasing the pressure on Europe.”
SupportedTsahkna said the attack on an Estonian defence industry company was attributed to Russian secret services three weeks earlier.France 24 Europe: “We just attributed, three weeks ago, one serious attack against our defence industry company organised by the Russian secret services.”
Partly supportedThree suspects had been arrested and were in prison over the attack.France 24 Europe: “We caught these three guys. They are in prison now.”
Partly supportedThe story’s quote about witnessing attacks and seeing an increase omits intervening words without marking the omission.France 24 Europe: “We have witnessed terrorist attacks, sabotage attacks, against the defence industry companies. We just attributed, three weeks ago, one serious attack against our defence industry company”
SupportedTsahkna said 120,000 Russian troops were close to Estonia’s borders and ready to move within 48 hours when he was defence minister in 2016–2017.France 24 Europe: “When I served as a defence minister in 2016-2017, we had permanently 120,000 Russian troops on the other side of our borders, very close, ready to go within 48 hours.”
Partly supportedRussia’s conventional military capabilities had been degraded by the war in Ukraine.France 24 Europe: “Tsahkna distinguishes between this hybrid war and Russia’s actual military capabilities, which he implies have been degraded by its involvement in Ukraine.”
SupportedTsahkna said NATO forces, including French troops in Estonia, and regional defence plans meant the military threat was not the main concern; European unity was.France 24 Europe: “We have NATO troops. Actually, French troops are located in Estonia. They are 100 percent integrated with our troops. We have very solid NATO regional defence plans. So this is not the main concern. The main concern now is to keep all of us in Europe united.”
SupportedTsahkna said Europe must be part of ceasefire efforts but should not take a neutral mediating position or stop sanctions or return frozen assets to Russia.France 24 Europe: “We cannot let ourselves be dragged into the mediating position that Putin really wants: appointing a special envoy and then trying to mediate between Ukraine and Russia.”
SupportedTsahkna said social divisions weaken a country and that resolving France’s situation was for the French.France 24 Europe: “Because divisions in society are making you weaker as a country and as a nation. But of course, it’s a matter for France and for the French how to have this dialogue about the future.”