According to Nato officials, it’s believed that Russia masterminded a thwarted assassination plan targeting the CEO of Europe’s biggest armament supplier, allegedly due to the firm’s support of Ukraine. High-ranking diplomats in the alliance suggest that the purported plot against Armin Papperger, the head of Düsseldorf’s Rheinmetall, is being counted as a constituent of the broader Russian sabotage and hybrid assault strategy against European Nato countries. CNN was the original broadcaster of the plot to undermine it.
The security detail assigned to Mr Papperger, it is noted, is of the highest order, similar to that of the German leader Olaf Scholz. However, when asked for a comment, a representative for Mr Scholz gave no response, but Mr Papperger acknowledged that there was significant security surrounding him in the German capital. Mr Papperger did not confirm the specifics of the plot, but expressed his belief in the credibility of CNN’s initial report, which detailed how US intelligence discovered the plot and alerted German entities, who then successfully prevented it from taking place.
In 2023, Mr Papperger raised the Kremlin’s hackles by revealing plans to establish a panther tank production facility in Ukraine, an act the Russian foreign ministry threatened to demolish, said a ministry representative. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, didn’t offer an immediate comment on the allegations.
Western intelligence groups have warned in recent times about the surge in Russian sabotage efforts across Europe, including plans to attack military bases in Germany. Despite the increasing severity of these intelligence alerts from the alliance, diplomats indicated that the German government opted to downplay the developments surrounding Papperger during the Nato conference in Washington.
When queried on Thursday about a specific assassination report, Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, refrained from direct remarks. However, he highlighted an observable trend of aggressive operations against NATO allies by the Russian campaign arranged by the Kremlin’s security services.
This alleged plot, reported by CNN, was supposedly one among several Russian schemes targeting European defence industry executives, particularly those aiding Ukraine’s war initiatives.
Stoltenberg further mentioned that such incidents weren’t isolated but were parts of a larger campaign to deter NATO allies from extending support to Ukraine.
Rheinmetall, a company producing artillery shells, military drones, infantry combat vehicles and the main armament for the Leopard 2 tank, has amplified its production capabilities due to Russia’s comprehensive attack on Ukraine.
For 2023, the company has plans to manufacture approximately 700,000 artillery rounds, a substantial increase when compared to the 70,000 produced in 2022.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Papperger, stated that Rheinmetall would begin crafting 155mm shells in Western Ukraine shortly and also has plans to establish new production sites in Germany next year for producing ammo and components for the F-35 fighter jet. Regarding the supposed threat to his life, Mr Papperger expressed his feelings of safety and contentment.
While the spokesperson for the US National Security Council didn’t directly address the Papperger incident, the intensifying Russian campaign of disruption was acknowledged as a significant concern that they have been scrutinizing over the recent months. The spokesperson further stated their collaborative efforts with NATO allies to expose and disrupt such undertakings and their firm stance that Russia’s actions won’t discourage allies from supporting Ukraine. The Financial Times Limited holds the copyright for 2024.