On July 2, 2025, the Harju County Court in Estonia sentenced Ivan Chihaiial, a Moldovan citizen, to six and a half years imprisonment for arson against the Slava Ukraina restaurant in Tallinn. The crime was committed on behalf of the Russian special services, specifically the GRU. Chihaiial was tasked in January 2025 by the Russian General Staff's GRU to set fire to the COOP store in Osula, Võrumaa, and subsequently, a person acting on behalf of the GRU ordered the arson attack on the restaurant in Tallinn. Chihaiial's cousin, unaware of the Russian special services' interests, accompanied him for preparation. The arson involved breaking a window, pouring gasoline inside, placing a gasoline can, and igniting it. Both fires aimed to cause damage and polarize society, particularly targeting security in Estonia, as part of Russia's broader campaign against monuments, people, and property in the Baltic states since February 2023. The accused were apprehended following international cooperation between several law enforcement agencies and thanks to community-shared security camera footage. The court also sentenced an accomplice to two and a half years imprisonment, with six months actual imprisonment, plus possible additional penalties if further crimes are committed. Estonian authorities stressed increasing difficulties for Russian special services to recruit locals amid strong Ukrainian support. This case underscores Russia’s use of criminal proxies to conduct hybrid warfare attacks in Estonia.

On July 2, 2025, the Harju County Court in Estonia sentenced Ivan Chihaiial, a Moldovan citizen, to six and a half years imprisonment for arson against the Slava Ukraina restaurant in Tallinn. The crime was committed on behalf of the Russian special services, specifically the GRU. Chihaiial was tasked in January 2025 by the Russian General Staff's GRU to set fire to the COOP store in Osula, Võrumaa, and subsequently, a person acting on behalf of the GRU ordered the arson attack on the restaurant in Tallinn. Chihaiial's cousin, unaware of the Russian special services' interests, accompanied him for preparation. The arson involved breaking a window, pouring gasoline inside, placing a gasoline can, and igniting it. Both fires aimed to cause damage and polarize society, particularly targeting security in Estonia, as part of Russia's broader campaign against monuments, people, and property in the Baltic states since February 2023. The accused were apprehended following international cooperation between several law enforcement agencies and thanks to community-shared security camera footage. The court also sentenced an accomplice to two and a half years imprisonment, with six months actual imprisonment, plus possible additional penalties if further crimes are committed. Estonian authorities stressed increasing difficulties for Russian special services to recruit locals amid strong Ukrainian support. This case underscores Russia’s use of criminal proxies to conduct hybrid warfare attacks in Estonia.