<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/11/us-reportedly-foiled-russian-plot-to-kill-boss-of-german-arms-firm-supplying-ukraine>
"US intelligence services have foiled a Russian plot to assassinate the chief
executive of Germany’s leading arms manufacturer, which was an apparent attempt
at retaliation over the company’s role in providing a large amount of armaments
for Ukraine, according to reports on Thursday.
The plot to murder Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, was one of several
Russian government plans to kill defence industry executives in several
countries in Europe who have been supporting Ukraine’s war effort, unidentified
US and western officials told
CNN.
The plans to kill Papperger were in the most advanced stages of any of the
plots, the investigators reportedly said.
US authorities had immediately informed their German counterparts, according to
the report, and security around Papperger and Rheinmetall had been stepped up
accordingly.
Papperger told the
Financial Times that the German government had set up a
“great level of security around my person”.
While he did not directly confirm the threats, he told the
Financial Times
that the
CNN report was credible, saying, “I think
CNN is not just looking
up at the sky”.
Rheinmetall has declined to comment but said in a statement to media that
“necessary measures are always taken” in regular consultation with security
authorities.
German authorities have yet to respond to requests for comment but a government
official confirmed that the US had warned Berlin about the plot.
Rheinmetall is one of the world’s biggest armaments’ producers, making
artillery and tank shells as well as armoured vehicles. It considerably ramped
up its production after Russia’s full-blown invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and is
one of the largest suppliers of military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine,
Germany’s
Der Spiegel reports.
In February, Rheinmetall announced plans to open an ammunition factory in
Ukraine to produce and repair armoured vehicles. The factory was the main
reason for the plot against Papperger, German security authorities told
Der
Spiegel."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
