The US and Germany foiled a Russian operation aimed at assassinating Rheinmetal CEO – CNN

The United States and Germany thwarted a Russian operation aimed at killing the CEO of Rheinmetal – CNN Yaroslav Pogonchuk

Russia was preparing an assassination attempt on the CEO of Rheinmetal/Collage 24 Channel

US intelligence has discovered a Russian plan to assassinate the chief executive of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger. After a warning from the Americans, German intelligence services managed to prevent the murder.

Rheinmetall is known to produce artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine. Five American and Western officials familiar with this episode reported this to the publication.

What is known about Russia's criminal intentions

The publication notes that Papperger was a particular target due to his company's important role in supplying weapons to the Ukrainian military.

After Once American intelligence learned of Russia's plan, they informed Germany, allowing German security services to protect Papperger and thwart the Russian agents' plans. This information was confirmed to the publication by a high-ranking German official.

It is worth noting that this case is is part of a wider Russian campaign of sabotage across Europe, which includes recruiting local agents to set fire to Ukraine arms warehouses and minor acts of vandalism.

< p>With its actions, Russia is trying to stop the flow of weapons from the West to Ukraine and suppress public support for Kyiv. But plans to assassinate private citizens highlight just how far Moscow is willing to go in its shadow war.

Why Papperger was such an important target

Papperger was a particular target due to the importance of his company Rheinmetall, which is the largest German manufacturer of 155mm artillery shells, which became the main weapon in the war of attrition in Ukraine. The company also plans to soon open an armored vehicles plant in Ukraine, which is causing deep concern to Russia.

A series of previously unreported plots helps explain the increasingly strident warnings from NATO officials about the seriousness of the Russian sabotage campaign. According to a senior NATO official, Russia's actions have strategic implications and could cross the threshold of armed conflict in Eastern Europe.

The US National Security Council declined to comment on the plot, but NSC spokesman Adrien Watson revealed some details.

The intensification of the Russian campaign of subversion is something we take extremely seriously and have been a particular focus of our over the past several months,” he said.

Watson added that the United States is actively working with NATO allies to expose and disrupt these activities.