Russia plotted to assassinate Rheinmetall CEO supplying Ukraine with weapons: US, Germany foil plan

CNN reported the information, citing 5 US and Western officials familiar with the situation.

The assassination of the CEO of the German defence company was part of Russia's plan to "assassinate" defence industry executives who supplied Ukraine with their products across the EU. According to the sources, the plan to kill Papperger was the "most mature."

After the United States learned of the plot, it informed Germany, whose security services were able to protect the CEO.

Sources told CNN that Russia had been conducting a sabotage campaign in Europe for six months, including setting fire to warehouses where weapons for Kyiv were stored.

"All designed to stymie the flow of weapons from the West to Ukraine and blunt public support for Kyiv. But the intelligence suggesting that Russia was willing to assassinate private citizens underlined to Western officials just how far Moscow was willing to go in a parallel shadow war it is waging across the west," the article says.

the outlet emphasised: Rheinmetall is Germany's largest producer of 155mm artillery shells, which are important for Ukraine, so its CEO "was an obvious target."

At the same time, the concern had previously announced that it would open a plant in Ukraine. This, according to the source, is of deep concern to the Russians. CNN adds that after a series of successes, Russia "stalled amid redoubled Ukrainian defenses and punishing losses in personnel."

“We’re seeing sabotage, we’re seeing assassination plots, we’re seeing arson. We’re seeing things that have a cost in human lives,” a senior NATO official told reporters on Tuesday. “I believe very much that we’re seeing a campaign of covert sabotage activities from Russia that have strategic consequences.”

The US National Security Council declined to comment on the Russian plot, but spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement that Russia's growing disruption campaign in Europe was something that had received special attention in recent 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,” she said. “We have also been clear that Russia’s actions will not deter Allies from continuing to support Ukraine.”

Rheinmetall spokesman Oliver Hoffmann also declined to comment, but said: “The necessary measures are always taken in regular consultation with the security authorities.” 

• German Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said on Thursday, March 14, that the concern plans to build at least four arms factories in Ukraine.
• On June 11, it was reported that a joint production plant of Ukroboronprom and Rheinmetall had been launched in Ukraine: it will repair and then manufacture armoured vehicles.
• On June 12, it became known that the German defence concern Rheinmetall would start producing Lynx infantry fighting vehicles in Ukraine. The first vehicles should be ready this year.