The German arms manufacturer has gained importance for the defense of Europe in the wake of the war in Ukraine. According to the American press, the plan was uncovered by US intelligence services.
(DW) US intelligence services have discovered that Russia was planning to assassinate the CEO of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, which has been supplying Ukraine with war supplies, US media outlets reported on Thursday (11/07).
The plan to assassinate Armin Papperger is one of a series of other assassinations of European arms entrepreneurs planned by the Russian government in retaliation for their support for Kiev, and was discovered at the beginning of the year, as reported to CNN by anonymous official sources from Western governments.
In a statement, Rheinmetall said that it “always” takes the “necessary measures” in frequent talks with security authorities.
According to the German weekly Der Spiegel, the company’s headquarters were already protected in January by a police car and two armed officers.
When contacted by Reuters, the Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian government did not comment on the case, which was also reported by The New York Times and The Economist.
Der Spiegel claims that German security authorities were alerted about two months ago about a possible threat, but without concrete information about the type of attack planned or the suspects.
Commenting on the plans to assassinate the businessman, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Russia is waging a hybrid war that includes cyberattacks and acts of sabotage. “This reinforces once again that we, as Europeans, need to protect ourselves as best we can and not be naive.”
A spokesman for the German interior ministry declined to comment on the news, but stressed that the country’s security authorities “are very vigilant and act accordingly”, and that the government “will not be intimidated by Russian threats”.
The company is a global giant in the field
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of artillery ammunition and tanks, Rheinmetall began increasing its production after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
In May 2023, the company announced it had set up a joint venture with Ukrainian state-owned Ukroboronprom to build and repair tanks, and in February this year, the manufacturer unveiled plans for an ammunition factory in the country.
Two months later, Papperger saw one of its buildings go up in flames after an attack, the circumstances of which have yet to be clarified.
Recently, the company was commissioned to produce up to 8.5 billion euros worth of ammunition and 3.5 billion euros worth of military vehicles for the German Armed Forces.
ra (Reuters, ots)