The United States foiled a plot to assassinate the CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, according to a Thursday report by CNN.
Five officials familiar with the plan told the news outlet that the intention to kill the corporate head, Armin Papperger, is part of a larger effort by Moscow to target defense industry executives whose firms supply Ukraine with munitions.
The 61-year-old’s company is Germany’s largest producer of vital 155mm artillery shells that have been used extensively by the Ukrainian military as they defend their country from Russia’s 2022 invasion. Media reports have suggested that the ammunition has been in short supply for the past several months.
In addition to ordinance production, Papperger’s firm is reportedly planning on opening an armored vehicle plant inside Ukraine, an action that caused great concern for the Kremlin.
Sources in Berlin were quoted as saying that the project was discovered by American intelligence services earlier this year, resulting in Papperger being placed under government protection.
Although the National Security Council declined CNN’s request for comment, a spokesperson for the organization released a statement acknowledging that “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,” the communication concluded.
Since the beginning of the year, Russia has been accused of orchestrating a sabotage expedition throughout Europe with the purpose of disrupting Western support for Kiev. The clandestine operations have included attempts to damage railways, warehouses, aviation infrastructure, and military bases.
A representative for Rheinmetall, Oliver Hoffman, declined to discuss the matter with reporters.
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