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Russia is suspected to be behind an assassination plot targeting Armin Papperger, the head of Europe's largest arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall. This plot is seen as part of Russia's broader campaign of sabotage and hybrid attacks against European NATO states, according to NATO diplomats. The alleged conspiracy was first reported by CNN, which cited US intelligence uncovering the effort and alerting German authorities, enabling them to foil the plot.

 

Rheinmetall, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, has significantly increased its production capacity in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, manufacturing artillery shells, infantry fighting vehicles, military drones, and the Leopard 2 tank's main gun. Papperger drew ire from the Kremlin in 2023 when he announced plans to build a Panther tank factory in Ukraine. A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these allegations.

 

Papperger's security has been heightened to a level similar to that of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. While Papperger could not confirm the plot's details, he expressed confidence in the validity of the CNN report, indicating serious threats against his life due to his company's support for Ukraine.

 

Western intelligence services have increasingly warned of Russia's sabotage attempts in Europe, including plots targeting military bases in Germany. Despite the gravity of these warnings, the German government has been keen to downplay the developments at the NATO summit in Washington. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg refrained from commenting on the specific assassination report but acknowledged a pattern of Russian-organized hostile actions against NATO allies aimed at intimidating them from supporting Ukraine.

 

Rheinmetall's production is set to expand further, with plans to produce 700,000 rounds of artillery next year, compared to 70,000 in 2022. The company will soon start producing 155mm shells in western Ukraine and will establish new production sites in Germany for ammunition and components for the F-35 fighter jet. Despite the threats, Papperger maintains a sense of safety and contentment, focusing on the critical role Rheinmetall plays in supporting Ukraine's defense efforts.

 

The US National Security Council has taken the Russian subversion campaign seriously, working closely with NATO allies to expose and disrupt these activities. They emphasized that Russia's actions will not deter the allies from continuing to support Ukraine. This ongoing support highlights the importance of maintaining security and solidarity among NATO members in the face of increasing Russian aggression.

 

Credit: Financial Times 2024-07-13

 

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