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According to US intelligence officials speaking to CNN, the United States, along with Germany, foiled a Russian plot to assassinate the chief executive of a prominent German arms manufacturer.
US intelligence discovered earlier this year that Russia planned to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, which produces artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine. The plot was part of a series of Russian plans to target defense industry executives across Europe supporting Ukraine’s war effort. When the US learned of this effort, they informed Germany, whose security services protected Papperger and foiled the assassination plot.

Digging Deeper:
Rheinmetall’s role in producing the 155mm artillery shells necessary for Ukraine’s defense made it a significant target. Since the start of the war, the company’s stock has increased more than 400% and has outperformed every major US defense company). Rheinmetall is also set to open a new plant within Ukraine after signing an MOU with the government earlier this year.
In a press release following the official announcement that Rheinmetall would build the plant, Papperger said, “We want to be an effective partner of Ukraine, to help rebuild the country’s once powerful defense industry, and to assure Ukrainian autonomy in ammunition production. Already today, we are Kyiv’s most important defence industry partner. We are currently processing several billion euros worth of projects on behalf of Ukraine, with more almost daily.”

This news comes as NATO has warned of sabotage plans by Russia, claims that the Kremlin calls “Western propaganda.” A senior NATO official speaking to CNN said, “We’re seeing sabotage, we’re seeing assassination plots, we’re seeing arson. We’re seeing things that have a cost in human lives. I believe very much that we’re seeing a campaign of covert sabotage activities from Russia that have strategic consequences.”
The US government has declined to comment on the report, though National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, “Russia’s intensifying campaign of subversion is something that we are taking extremely seriously and have been intently focused on over the past few months. The United States has been discussing this issue with our NATO Allies, and we are actively working together to expose and disrupt these activities.”