US reportedly foils Russian plot to execute boss of German hand company supplying Ukraine Germany

US intelligence services have foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Germany’s chief executive manufacturer, in an apparent attempt to retaliate over the company’s role in providing huge quantities of weapons to Ukraine, according to reports Thursday.

The plot to assassinate Rhinemetall CEO Armin Papperger was one of several Russian executive plans to kill defense industry executives in various countries in Europe who were supporting the war in Ukraine, unnamed U.S. and Western officials told CNN. .

Investigators reportedly said that the plan to execute Papperger was among the most complex stages of any conspiracy.

According to the document, the US government immediately informed its German counterparts, and security around Papperger and Rhinemetall was increased accordingly.

Papperger informed the Financial Times that the German executive had arranged for a “large level of security around my person”.

As he indirectly confirmed the blackmail, he told the Financial Times that the CNN document was credible, adding, “I think CNN is not just looking at the sky”.

Rhinemetall declined to comment, but said in a statement to the media that “necessary measures are always taken” in familiar consultation with safety authorities.

The German government did not respond to calls for comment, although a central authority official indicated that the United States had warned Berlin regarding the plot.

There is no doubt that Rhinemetall is one of the largest arms manufacturers in the world, producing artillery and tank shells in addition to armored cars. It significantly increased its production following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and as Germany’s Der Spiegel reports, it is one of the largest providers of military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine.

In February, Rhinemetall presented plans to establish an ammunition manufacturing unit in Ukraine to manufacture and service armored cars. The German security executive told Der Spiegel that the factory was at the heart of the plot against Papperger.

Eyewitnesses noted that a patrol vehicle and several police officers wearing submachine weapons were parked in front of the Rhinemetal headquarters in the western German city of Düsseldorf for months, even years. Indistinguishable era period.

In public settings such as football matches, cultural events and association conferences, they are accompanied by security provided by the police from North Rhine-Westphalia – considered one of only a handful of societies to receive such coverage. .

The white-haired, muscular CEO, wearing a bulletproof vest during a visit to Ukraine, also said: “It is very important for us to support Ukraine efficiently and reliably,” Der Spiegel says.

In the spring, he took Olaf Scholz on a tour of the Rhinemetal manufacturing hall filled with Leopard battle tanks.

According to Der Spiegel, Rhinemetall’s role in the war has boosted Papperger’s profile, resulting in the company becoming one of the 40 largest companies listed in the DAX index. As of closing date, its operating results increased by almost €1bn, and book value increased by almost 44% to more than €38bn.

Rheinmetall has been described as a threat to a Russian full-blown invasion and the next involvement of Germany, which is one of the largest suppliers of guns to Kiev and a thorn in Moscow’s side.

In his article he said that the Rhinemetal boss “had long been considered a threat by German security officials”. He suspected that because of his position he was at risk of becoming a target of Russian attack. The main reason given was that the company was building a factory for Lynx infantry fighting automobiles in Ukraine and wanted to build a hand exchange in the country.

Rhinemetal is undoubtedly one of the largest single providers of military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine and wants to increase its production so that it will be able to manufacture 700,000 rounds of artillery ammunition each year. However 1 million is considered an estimated requirement for Ukraine intending to adequately defend itself against Russia.

The Ukrainian Army is provided with a field of guns from the German manufacturer, along with Leopard 1 primary fighting tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles. At the same time the company provided Ukraine with 155 mm artillery shells, which were central to Ukraine’s continuing battle of attrition, and supplied a complete carrier including repairs, supplies and spare parts.

The company says it has long been the target of so-called hybrid warfare from Russia, including cyber attacks. The latest blackmail is being taken very seriously, and is considered credible, an organization insider informed Der Spiegel, adding, “We see it as a distraction from decisive action to support Ukraine.” will not let”.

The revelation of the assassination plot comes amid a spate of incidents believed to be part of a scientific Russian sabotage campaign in exchange for Ukraine’s assistance. It has reportedly recruited novices in neighborhoods to carry out activities ranging from arson attacks on warehouses and grocery shopping centers to small acts of vandalism and graffiti, as well as espionage operations aimed at Ukraine. War of Undermining and Dent Public Assistance to Ukraine. These movements were described as a “shadow war” that Moscow is waging in Western Europe.

On Thursday, a senior NATO expert told journalists attending the alliance’s conference in Washington that the sabotage campaign was growing in scope and needed to be taken extremely seriously.

“We are seeing sabotage, we are seeing murder plots, we are seeing arson. We’re looking at things that have value in human life,” he said. “I am confident that we are witnessing a campaign of covert sabotage activities from Russia that will have strategic consequences.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the NATO summit that Russia is waging a mixed war of aggression, including cyber attacks and infrastructure sabotage. “This underlines once again that as Europeans we must protect ourselves as much as possible and not be naive,” he told Reuters.