Russia tried to assassinate CEO of German arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine, say reports
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The Russian government planned assassinations of defence industry executives in Europe who were supporting Ukraine's war effort, including Rheinmetall chief Armin Papperger.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US intelligence discovered that Russia planned to assassinate the chief executive of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall – which has been producing artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine – CNN and The New York Times reported on July 11, citing five unidentified US and Western officials as saying the plot was discovered earlier in 2024.
The US informed Germany, the report said, adding that German security services were able to protect Mr Armin Papperger.
Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on July 12 that Germany is taking the reports very seriously.
“We will not allow ourselves to be intimidated by Russia and will continue to do everything we can to prevent Russian threats in Germany,” said Ms Faeser.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during a press conference at the Nato summit in Washington, said that the government was highly aware of the numerous threats to which it was exposed.
Rheinmetall said in a statement that “necessary measures are always taken” in regular consultation with the security authorities.
The Kremlin on July 12 denied the reports, which it claimed were based on “fake” information from anonymous sources.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the reports also did not contain “serious documentation” and so could not be taken seriously.
The New York Times cited multiple Western officials in its report, while the Financial Times also reported on the plot, referencing Nato diplomats.
Rheinmetall, one of the world’s biggest producers of artillery and tank shells, began ramping up production after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In May 2023, it said it had set up a joint venture with Ukrainian state-owned conglomerate Ukroboronprom to build and repair tanks in Ukraine.
Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of current President Vladimir Putin, said Russia would retaliate by hitting any facility Rheinmetall set up in Ukraine.
In February, Rheinmetall announced that it also planned to open an ammunition factory
Two months on, Mr Papperger – who has been with Rheinmetall for 34 years, including more than 11 years as CEO – made headlines when his garden house was set on fire by what tabloid newspaper Bild said were far-left activists.
Italy’s Leonardo, which last week formed a joint venture with Rheinmetall to produce tanks, has no plans to increase security measures for its executives, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia was waging a hybrid war of aggression, including cyber attacks and sabotage of infrastructure.
“This underlines once again that we as Europeans must protect ourselves as best we can and not be naive,” she said.
Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg, in response to a question on the CNN report, said he had seen a Russian campaign of hostile acts against Nato, which he said only led to allies stepping up support for Ukraine.
A spokesperson for Germany’s Interior Ministry said: “The federal government will not be intimidated by the Russian threats. We will continue to do everything in our power to prevent possible threats in Germany.”
Germany’s domestic intelligence services declined to comment.
A spokesperson for Rheinmetall’s Swedish peer Saab declined to comment, saying only that as a defence company, it always had “preparedness and routines to protect the business and our employees”. REUTERS
