Authorities from the US and Germany have successfully uncovered and disrupted a plot to assassinate the CEO of a major German arms manufacturer. The company in question provides artillery ammunition and armored vehicles to Ukraine.
According to CNN, a purported scheme was reportedly aimed at Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall AG, the leading ammunition manufacturer in Europe.
Russia Plots to Assassinate German Arms CEO
The company is responsible for producing 155 mm artillery rounds for Ukraine. It intends to establish multiple plants in the country to produce ammunition and armored vehicles, such as the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. According to sources, US intelligence agencies informed the German government about a plan to target Papperger earlier this year.
Papperger was among several defense industry executives in Europe who were targeted, but according to sources, the plot against him was considered to be more sophisticated.
Recent warnings from NATO's secretary-general, European governments, and US officials have highlighted Moscow's increasing efforts to disrupt arms deliveries to Ukraine. These actions are aimed at undermining Ukraine's defense against invading Russian troops.
The White House National Security Council declined to comment directly on Rheinmetall's particular case. However, council spokesperson Adrienne Watson expressed the Biden administration's apprehension regarding the increasing risk of Russian sabotage.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, and the German embassy in Washington did not provide comments.
A spokesperson for Rheinmetall, Oliver Hoffman, stated that the company typically refrains from discussing security issues. However, he assured that appropriate measures would be consistently implemented in close collaboration with security authorities.
Russia's Sabotage Campaign Against Europe
Previous reports from NBC News have highlighted Russia's ongoing sabotage campaign in Europe. President Vladimir Putin is aggressively working to undermine Western support for Ukraine by targeting railways, military bases, and other crucial sites used for supplying arms to Kyiv.
There have been reports of various incidents that are believed to be acts of sabotage. These include an alleged arson attack on a warehouse in the United Kingdom, a plot to target military bases in Germany, attempts to disrupt Europe's railway signal network through hacking, and the interference with GPS systems used in civil aviation.
Last month, Rheinmetall's Papperger announced his company's plans to facilitate the production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine in the near future. In February, the company entered into a memorandum with Ukraine to establish a joint production plant for artillery ammunition. In the near future, the company announced that the plant will produce a significant quantity of 155 mm caliber artillery rounds.
Rheinmetall's partnership with Ukraine significantly contributes to the broader initiative of European governments to support Kyiv in developing its defense industry and becoming less dependent on Western aid.
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