Men arrested for Russian intelligence arson attacks on Ukrainian restaurants in Estonia

Two Moldovan men have been sentenced after carrying out arson attacks in Estonia on behalf of Russian intelligence, including the firebombing of a Ukrainian restaurant in Tallinn.

The cousins, both named Ivan Chihaial, were arrested in Italy just 12 days after the January 31 attack on the Slava Ukraina restaurant. Prosecutors say the younger Chihaial worked directly with Russian military intelligence and had earlier set fire to a Coop grocery store in southern Estonia, filming both attacks as proof for his handlers.

The younger Chihaial received 6.5 years in prison for his role in the politically motivated fires. His cousin, involved only in the Tallinn incident, was sentenced to six months behind bars with probation.

Estonian authorities say the acts were part of a broader campaign by Russian intelligence to spread fear and division across the Baltics through sabotage and hybrid warfare tactics.

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