According to multiple reports, the United States informed Germany that Russia had planned to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
Assassination Plot Details
- Western intelligence agencies identified several suspects linked to the plan against Papperger, including at least one Russian and others from former Soviet countries.
- The suspects were believed to have traveled to the vicinity of Rheinmetall’s headquarters in Düsseldorf, as well as to Papperger’s travel destinations abroad.
- Security services believed the suspects were “proxies” for Russian intelligence, but the evidence against them was insufficient to make an arrest.
Kremlin’s Response
- The Kremlin dismissed the reports of the assassination plot as appearing to be “fake” and said they could not be taken “seriously”.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the reports “do not contain any serious arguments and are based on anonymous sources” and that they were presented in the style of “another fake story”.
Implications and Reactions
- The German government refused to comment directly on the CNN report but underlined its condemnation of what it terms Russia’s “hybrid war of aggression”.
- Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said, “We will not be intimidated by Russia and will continue to do everything to prevent Russian threats in Germany.”
- Rheinmetall, the company targeted in the alleged plot, said it was “unable to comment on issues relating to corporate security”.
In conclusion, the reports indicate that the United States informed Germany of a Russian plot to assassinate the CEO of a major German arms manufacturer supplying weapons to Ukraine. While the Kremlin has dismissed the allegations, the incident highlights the escalating tensions and the potential for Russia to target individuals and companies supporting Ukraine’s war effort.