In a dramatic turn of events, US intelligence uncovered a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, a leading German arms manufacturer. This company has been a crucial supplier of artillery shells and military vehicles to Ukraine. The plot, which was part of a broader Russian strategy to target defense industry executives across Europe, highlights the lengths to which Moscow is willing to go to disrupt support for Ukraine’s war effort.
US intelligence discovered the assassination plan earlier this year and swiftly alerted German authorities. This prompt action enabled Germany’s security services to protect Papperger and thwart the plot. A high-level German government official confirmed that Berlin was warned by the US about the impending threat.
For over six months, Russia has been executing a sabotage campaign across Europe, mainly through proxies. These efforts have ranged from arson attacks on warehouses linked to arms for Ukraine to petty acts of vandalism, all aimed at hindering the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine and undermining public support for Kyiv. However, the intelligence indicating that Russia was willing to assassinate private citizens underscored the extreme measures Moscow was prepared to take in its shadow war against the West.
Papperger’s company, Rheinmetall, has been a significant player in supplying Ukraine with the vital 155mm artillery shells that have been crucial in the ongoing war of attrition. The company is also on the verge of opening an armored vehicle plant inside Ukraine, a move that has reportedly alarmed Russia. As Ukraine’s defenses have strengthened and Moscow has faced substantial personnel losses, Russia’s desperation has apparently intensified.
This series of assassination plots, which had not been previously reported, sheds light on the increasingly urgent warnings from NATO officials about the severity of Russia’s sabotage campaign. A senior NATO official noted the strategic consequences of these covert activities, emphasizing the risks they pose to human lives.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the National Security Council (NSC) declined to comment on the specifics of the Russian plot and the US warning to Germany. However, NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson acknowledged the intensifying campaign of subversion by Russia and reiterated the US’s commitment to working with NATO allies to expose and disrupt these activities. Watson affirmed that Russia’s actions would not deter the Allies from supporting Ukraine.
German officials also declined to comment on the specific details but highlighted the importance of vigilance against Russian aggression. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that Europe must not be naive and must protect itself against these hybrid warfare tactics. The German Interior Ministry reinforced that Berlin would not be intimidated by Russian threats and would continue to support Ukraine.
Rheinmetall’s spokesperson, Oliver Hoffman, refrained from commenting on the specifics but assured that necessary security measures were being taken in consultation with authorities.
This Russian sabotage campaign has been a focal point of discussions at NATO’s 75th anniversary summit in Washington. NATO officials are working to enhance intelligence sharing across the alliance to better understand and counter these threats. The campaign has raised challenging questions about NATO’s response, especially considering Article 5, which states that an armed attack on one member is an attack on all.
Some analysts describe Russia’s efforts as a “hybrid” campaign, employing non-military tools like propaganda and sabotage. However, the senior NATO official emphasized that the lethal nature of these actions goes beyond the traditional definition of hybrid warfare.
The specifics of the plot against Papperger remain unclear, including whether Russia intended to carry out the assassination directly or through a proxy. Nevertheless, the seriousness of these actions is underscored by recent events, such as the heightened state of alert at US military bases in Europe following intelligence of potential sabotage attacks.
In recent months, various incidents have been linked to Russia’s covert campaign, including arrests of individuals plotting attacks on US military facilities and other targets in Europe. These developments highlight the ongoing and escalating nature of the threat posed by Russia’s aggressive tactics.
