US intelligence has discovered a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, according to reports by CNN and the New York Times on Thursday. Rheinmetall has been producing artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine, making it a target for Russian operatives.
The plot against Papperger is part of a broader Russian strategy to eliminate defense industry executives across Europe who support Ukraine’s war effort.
This information comes from five unidentified U.S. and Western officials who stated the plot was discovered earlier this year. Following the discovery, the U.S. alerted Germany, enabling German security services to protect Papperger effectively.
When asked about the report during a press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined to comment but acknowledged the numerous threats facing the government.
Rheinmetall issued a statement assuring that “necessary measures are always taken” in coordination with security authorities to ensure safety.
The New York Times and the Financial Times also reported on the assassination plot, citing multiple Western officials and NATO diplomats.
Rheinmetall, one of the world’s leading producers of artillery and tank shells, has significantly increased its production following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In May 2023, the company announced a joint venture with Ukrainian state-owned conglomerate Ukroboronprom to build and repair tanks in Ukraine. Additionally, Rheinmetall plans to open an ammunition factory in Ukraine, further intensifying its support for the Ukrainian war effort.
Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, warned that Russia would retaliate by targeting any facility Rheinmetall established in Ukraine. This assassination plot highlights the escalating tensions and the high stakes involved in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
