Russia planned assassination of German arms maker: CNN

WASHINGTON: The United States foiled a Russian plot earlier this year to assassinate the chief executive of a major German arms maker supplying weaponry to Ukraine, CNN reported on Thursday.

The US cable television network, citing five unidentified US and Western officials, said the United States informed Germany of the Russian government´s plan to kill Armin Papperger, the head of Rheinmetall, and he was given protection by German security services.

It said the assassination plot was one of a series of Russian plans discovered by US intelligence to kill European defense industry executives supporting Ukraine´s war effort.

CNN said the plot against Papperger was the “most mature” and quoted a high-level German government official as confirming that Germany was warned about the plot by the United States.

Rheinmetall produces 155mm artillery shells and plans to begin manufacturing armored vehicles in Ukraine, according to CNN.

The CNN report comes as Nato leaders are holding meetings in Washington to mark the 75th anniversary of the defense bloc.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: “In view of the latest reports on Rheinmetall, this is what we have actually been communicating more and more clearly in recent months.