US, Germany foil Russian plot to assassinate CEO of German Palms company that shipped guns to Ukraine

Russia had planned to assassinate the CEO of a large German arms manufacturer that supplies artillery ammunition and armored vehicles to Ukraine, however the plot was exposed and disrupted by the US and German government, following an American investigation and investigation. According to informed source.

The alleged plot targeted Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Europe’s largest ammunition manufacturer, Rhinemetal AG, whose company produces 155 mm artillery rounds for Ukraine and is responsible for manufacturing both ammunition and armored vehicles throughout the country. Plans to highlight many plants in. Lynx infantry blocking automobiles. Sources said American logistics agencies discovered this future development plan after the paper trail and informed the German government.

CNN first reported the assassination plot.

Papperger was once one of several defense industry chiefs in Europe targeted, but the plot against him is believed to be more complex, the sources said.

The revelations follow fresh blackmail of the NATO secretary general, EU governments and US officials over the escalating conflict through Moscow to disrupt supplies of palms to Ukraine as it seeks to defend itself against invading Russian troops. tries to.

The White Space National Security Council would not immediately comment on the specific case involving Rhinemetal, but council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said the Biden leadership was concerned about the growing blackmail threat of Russian subversion.

“Although I have no comment on this specific report, Russia’s intensified campaign of sabotage is something we take extremely seriously and have been focused on over the past few months,” Watson said. “The United States is discussing this issue with our NATO allies, and we are actively working together to expose and disrupt these activities. “We have also been clear that Russia’s actions will not deter allies from continuing to support Ukraine.”

The workplace of the Director of National Prudence, the CIA, and the German Embassy in Washington all declined to comment.

Oliver Hoffmann, a spokesman for Rhinemetall, said the company does not usually comment on safety issues, but added that “the necessary measures are always taken in regular consultation with safety authorities.”

A spokesman for the Democratic minority on the Space Prudence Committee declined to comment on the alleged plot, although said: “As Putin continues to fail to carry out his maximalist agenda in Ukraine, Russia will increasingly use illegal and The offensive has turned into malicious activities.” countries. The Intelligence Committee is closely monitoring these threats, which strengthens our resolve to support Ukraine.

Russia’s Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At the closing ceremony, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that alliance participants acknowledged the importance of Moscow’s sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation to counter Russian arguments for reducing Western aid to Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion. It is planned to impose additional restrictions on brokers and strengthen security for key infrastructure. In February 2022.

“We have seen numerous examples of sabotage, arson attempts, cyber attacks, disinformation,” Stoltenberg advised journalists.

NBC News previously reported that Russia, through President Vladimir Putin, is waging a sabotage campaign across Europe in an attempt to undermine Western aid to Ukraine, destroying railways, military bases and other sites. Unable to offer palms to Kiev.

An alleged Russia-backed arson attack on an attic linked to Ukraine in Britain in an attempt to sabotage, a plot to bomb or set fire to military bases in Germany, an attempt to hack and disrupt Europe’s railway signaling network and jamming GPS Is included. Technologies for civil flight.

A report in February from the Royal United Products and Services Institute, a London-based security tank, warned that Russia’s military arm, the GRU, was creating a secret community of operatives to conduct espionage and potentially sabotage operations in Europe.

Rhinemetall’s Papperger later announced that his company planned to allow the manufacture of Lynx infantry fighting automobiles inside Ukraine “in the near future”. And in February, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine to set up a joint manufacturing plant for artillery ammunition. The company said the plant would manufacture a “six-digit number” of 155 mm caliber artillery rounds in a single hour.

Rhinemetall’s cooperation with Ukraine is part of a broader struggle through EU governments to help Kiev build its personal security business and reduce dependence on Western help.