NATO confirms Russia plans to assassinate Rheinmetall CEO
Photo: Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall (Getty Images)
Russia indeed planned to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, whose company provides military aid to Ukraine, Politico reports, citing James Appathurai, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber.
According to Appathurai, the assassination attempt on Papperger was part of a series of Russian plans to eliminate defense industry leaders across Europe. However, US and German intelligence services thwarted Moscow's plans.
This marks the first official confirmation from NATO regarding the Russian attempt to kill the Rheinmetall CEO.
"We have seen incidents of sabotage taking place across NATO countries over a period of the last couple of years, by which I mean derailment of trains, acts of arson, attacks on politicians’ property, plots to assassinate industry leaders, like publicly the head of Rheinmetall, but there were other plots as well," said Appathurai.
NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General clarified that the Russians recruit personnel for their plans via the Internet, using “criminal gangs or unwitting youth or migrants” to carry out these acts.
"They are generally crudely done, but they are done with a purpose, which is to create disquiet to undermine support for Ukraine," Appathurai explained.
NATO representative also emphasized that Russia is attempting to achieve victory “using whatever tools you have,” including damaging infrastructure or engaging in political interference.
Rumors about assassination attempt on Papperger
As CNN reported in July 2024, the Russians wanted to kill Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger.
According to the channel, the US and Germany managed to thwart Russia's plans, with the German intelligence services foiling the assassination attempt.
