According to five unnamed US and western officials, Russian intelligence orchestrated a plan to assassinate Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall. A key supplier of military vehicles and artillery to Ukraine that has been instrumental in supporting Kyiv’s defense against Russia.
US intelligence services uncovered the assassination plot earlier this year and promptly informed German authorities. As a result, German security services heightened protective measures around Papperger and the Rheinmetall headquarters in Düsseldorf.
Russia planned assassination of German arms maker: CNN Washington (AFP) – The United States foiled a Russian plot earlier this year to assassinate the chief executive of a… – https://t.co/GHvuPUdI8X pic.twitter.com/VzcRNW4KT2
— zeta panama (@zetacompa) July 12, 2024
The planned assassination of Papperger was not an isolated incident but has been reported as part of a broader Russian strategy to sabotage European defense efforts supporting Ukraine. Russia has reportedly engaged in a sabotage campaign across Europe for more than 6 months, using local proxies to carry out arson attacks, vandalism, and other activities aimed at undermining the flow of arms to Ukraine.
Rheinmetall plays a significant role in supplying Ukraine with critical military equipment, including artillery shells and armored vehicles, making him a prominent target for Russian retaliation. The company has also recently announced plans to open an ammunition factory in Ukraine.
German political leaders have reacted with outrage to the revelation of the assassination plot. Marcus Faber, chairman of the German parliament’s Defense Committee, emphasized the gravity of Russia’s actions, while Michael Roth, chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, condemned the plot as an attack on Germany’s values and support for Ukraine.
The Kremlin has dismissed the reports of the assassination plot, citing a lack of concrete evidence. However, NATO officials have stressed the seriousness of Russia’s sabotage campaign, with increasing calls for enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated responses among member states.
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