"Russia Plans Assassination of CEO of Ukrainian Military Supplier... US and Germany Prevent It"

Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall CEO
Germany's Largest Defense Contractor Supports Ukraine with Shells
Establishing Armored Vehicle Factory, a 'Thorn in Russia's Side'

Major foreign media outlets including CNN reported on the 11th (local time) that the United States and Germany thwarted a Russian plan to assassinate the CEO of a defense contractor supporting Ukraine.

According to five U.S. and Western officials familiar with the matter, U.S. intelligence agencies identified earlier this year that Russia was planning to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, Germany's largest defense contractor. Rheinmetall was considered a thorn in Russia's side as it supplies 155mm shells, a key component in attrition warfare, to Ukraine and is also pushing to establish an armored vehicle factory within Ukraine.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall
Photo by Yonhap News

A source stated, "U.S. authorities immediately informed German officials of this, and subsequently security around CEO Papperger and Rheinmetall headquarters was strengthened." The source added, "This assassination plot was one of a series of Russian plans to eliminate executives of defense industries supporting Ukraine across Europe," explaining, "The assassination of the Rheinmetall CEO was the most advanced among these plans." Oliver Hoffmann, Rheinmetall's spokesperson, declined to comment specifically on the matter but responded, "Necessary measures are always taken through regular consultations with security authorities."

On the same day, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a NATO summit press conference held in Washington D.C., "I have received reports concerning Rheinmetall," adding, "It is becoming clear that Russia is waging a hybrid war of aggression." She emphasized, "This reminds us Europeans that we must not be naive and need to better defend ourselves."

Experts have warned that Russia is employing a hybrid strategy mixing military activities with non-military measures. Last month, the Microsoft (MS) Threat Intelligence Center released a report stating, "Russia is enhancing propaganda tactics that create fear in the international community, such as using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fake news about bloodshed occurring at the Paris Olympics."

Maximilian Karl, spokesperson for the German Ministry of the Interior, criticized, "The Russian regime uses threats such as cyberattacks, disinformation, espionage, and sabotage (facility destruction operations)," adding, "Russia's threats primarily aim to weaken the support from Germany and our partners as Ukraine resists Russia's war of aggression."

Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), recently stated that the U.S. is "particularly focused on Russia's intensified subversion activities," and "is working closely with NATO allies to expose and prevent these activities."