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U.S., Germany foil alleged Russian plot to assassinate CEO of German arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine

  

Category:  News & Politics

Via:  perrie-halpern  •  3 months ago  •  47 comments

By:   Dan De Luce

U.S., Germany foil alleged Russian plot to assassinate CEO of German arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine
U.S. and German authorities foiled a Russian assassination plot against Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, a German arms firm that makes weapons for Ukraine.

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T


Russia planned to assassinate the CEO of a major German arms manufacturer that provides artillery ammunition and armored vehicles to Ukraine, but the plot was uncovered and disrupted by U.S. and German authorities, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of the matter.

The alleged plot targeted Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall AG, Europe's largest producer of ammunition, whose company makes 155 mm artillery rounds for Ukraine and plans to open several plants inside the country to produce both ammunition and armored vehicles, including the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. U.S. intelligence agencies discovered the plan to go after Papperger earlier this year and informed the German government, the sources said.

CNN first reported on the assassination plot.

Papperger was one of a number of defense industry chiefs in Europe to be targeted but the plot against him was believed to be more advanced, the sources said.

The revelations followed recent warnings from NATO's secretary-general, European governments and U.S. officials about an expanding effort by Moscow to disrupt arms deliveries to Ukraine as it tries to defend itself against invading Russian troops.

The White House National Security Council would not comment directly on the specific case involving Rheinmetall, but council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the Biden administration was concerned about the growing threat of Russian sabotage.

"While I don't have a comment on this specific report, Russia's intensifying campaign of subversion is something that we are taking extremely seriously and have been intently focused on over the past few months," Watson said. "The United States has been discussing this issue with our NATO Allies, and we are actively working together to expose and disrupt these activities. We have also been clear that Russia's actions will not deter Allies from continuing to support Ukraine."

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the CIA and the German embassy in Washington all declined to comment.

A Rheinmetall spokesman, Oliver Hoffman, said the company generally does not comment on security matters but said "the necessary measures are always taken in regular consultation with the security authorities."

A spokesperson for the Democratic minority on the House Intelligence Committee declined to comment on the alleged plot but said: "As Putin continues to fail to accomplish his maximalist agenda in Ukraine, Russia has increasingly turned to illegal and aggressive malign activities abroad, including in NATO countries. The Intelligence Committee is closely following these threats, which only strengthen our resolve to support Ukraine."

Russia's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last month, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said alliance members planned to impose more restrictions on Russian intelligence agents and to bolster security for key infrastructure to counter Moscow's use of sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation to undercut Western support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"We have seen several examples of sabotage, of arson attempts, of cyberattacks, of disinformation," Stoltenberg told reporters.

NBC News has previously reported that Russia is conducting a sabotage campaign across Europe in an increasingly aggressive effort by President Vladimir Putin to undermine Western support for Ukraine, seeking to damage railways, military bases and other sites used to supply arms to Kyiv.

The attempted sabotage includes an alleged Russian-backed arson attack on a Ukrainian-linked warehouse in the United Kingdom, a plot to bomb or set fire to military bases in Germany, attempts to hack and disrupt Europe's railway signal network and the jamming of GPS systems for civil aviation.

A report in February from the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based security think tank, warned that Russia's intelligence service, the GRU, was building a clandestine network of operatives to conduct espionage and potential sabotage operations in Europe.

Rheinmetall's Papperger had announced last month that his company planned to enable the production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles inside Ukraine "in the near future." And in February, the company signed a memorandum with Ukraine to set up a joint production plant for artillery ammunition. The plant will produce "a six-digit number" of 155 mm caliber artillery rounds in the near future, the company said.

Rheinmetall's collaboration with Ukraine is part of a wider effort by European governments to help Kyiv build up its own defense industry and reduce its reliance on Western assistance.


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evilone
Professor Guide
1  evilone    3 months ago

Not a new tactic. Not even a new tactic for Russia. It's right out of the KGB playbook though. 

 
 
 
Ozzwald
Professor Quiet
1.1  Ozzwald  replied to  evilone @1    3 months ago
Not a new tactic. Not even a new tactic for Russia. It's right out of the KGB playbook though.

Seems kind of desperate for Putin to be taking a direct action against a German citizen and company.  Ukraine war may be costing Russia a lot more than planned.

 
 
 
Drakkonis
Professor Guide
1.2  Drakkonis  replied to  evilone @1    3 months ago

Kind of amazing to me that the citizenry continues to tolerate Putin sending their sons into that pointless meatgrinder.

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
1.3  cjcold  replied to  evilone @1    3 months ago

Putin has been long known for using assassination to solve his problems.

Yet one more reason to not vote for his buddy/slave Trump.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
1.3.1  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  cjcold @1.3    3 months ago
buddy/slave

An obvious contradiction.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.3.2  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.1    3 months ago
An obvious contradiction.

besides just being an ignorant comment.

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
1.3.3  cjcold  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.1    3 months ago

Not in Putin's world. The KGB always kept their enemies close. Especially the stupid ones like Trump who would fall for Putin's Red Sparrows.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
1.3.4  Right Down the Center  replied to  cjcold @1.3.3    3 months ago

Confusing Trump with Swalwell?

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
1.3.5  Right Down the Center  replied to  cjcold @1.3    3 months ago
Putin has been long known for using assassination to solve his problems. Yet one more reason to not vote for his buddy/slave Trump.

Hoping if you throw enough shit at the wall some will stick or is this blue anon run amok?

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
1.3.6  cjcold  replied to  Right Down the Center @1.3.5    3 months ago

Putin has been Russia's premier assassin for decades.

Anybody who doesn't know that is ignorant on the subject.

Putin manufactures blackmail on everybody he can.

Trump was just another whore dog who fell into Putin's trap.

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
1.3.7  Right Down the Center  replied to  cjcold @1.3.6    3 months ago

Prove the last one. I could easily say biden is putins lapdog.  He waited for biden to start a war and knew biden would slow walk support in hopes putin would win the war in days.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
1.3.8  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  cjcold @1.3.3    3 months ago
Putin's Red Sparrows.

So so script saved by Jennifer’s acting and gorgeous body.

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
1.3.9  cjcold  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @1.3.8    3 months ago

The movie Red Sparrow was based on reality.

Putin has used Red Sparrows for decades.

Trump fucked and was pissed on by Red Sparrows.

Trump is a compulsive whoremonger.

That's how Putin got control of him. 

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
1.3.10  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  cjcold @1.3.9    3 months ago
Trump fucked and was pissed on by Red Sparrows.

They aren’t good at keeping secrets.  Once the truth is out the control ends.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.3.11  Texan1211  replied to  cjcold @1.3.9    3 months ago
Trump fucked and was pissed on by Red Sparrows.

Trump is a compulsive whoremonger.

That's how Putin got control of him.

Your empty 'claims' seem short on documentation and sound more like radical left wing conspiracy theory.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.3.12  Tessylo  replied to  cjcold @1.3.3    3 months ago

I bet there were a lot of golden showers involving the former 'president' convicted felon and rapist involving underage Russian prostitutes

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
1.3.13  Tessylo  replied to  cjcold @1.3.9    3 months ago

I believe that's how he met Melania

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
1.3.14  Right Down the Center  replied to  cjcold @1.3.9    3 months ago

Those comments are showing some real desperation. I find it hard to believe even you find any of those accusations credible 

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
1.3.15  Right Down the Center  replied to  Tessylo @1.3.12    3 months ago

I will take that bet

 
 
 
GregTx
Professor Guide
1.3.16  GregTx  replied to  Right Down the Center @1.3.14    3 months ago

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
1.3.17  Texan1211  replied to  Right Down the Center @1.3.14    3 months ago

The folks who foolishly believe this crap might be among the world's most gullible folk!

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
1.3.18  Right Down the Center  replied to  Tessylo @1.3.12    3 months ago

Interesting maturity level on that comment

 
 
 
shona1
Professor Quiet
2  shona1    3 months ago

Arvo..we just arrested two Russian spies here...

The Kremlin is having a melt down over it...

I guess ASIO (our spy mob ) does have its uses after all..

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
2.1  cjcold  replied to  shona1 @2    3 months ago

Too bad that Perrie allows Russian bots to have a voice here.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.1.1  Texan1211  replied to  cjcold @2.1    3 months ago
Too bad that Perrie allows Russian bots to have a voice here.

name them then.

back the frivolous, silly claim UP with a FACT or TWO just for kicks!

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
2.1.2  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  cjcold @2.1    3 months ago

Please help her to identify them with your bot detector.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.1.3  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.1.2    3 months ago
Please help her to identify them with your bot detector

hey, Amazon Prime Days are coming up soon, maybe they'll run a big sale on them and we can all chip in and get one for her!

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.1.4  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.1.2    3 months ago

We need to be careful, though.

The ones from China, when linked to your home internet, record everything and sends it all back to China, don't ya know!

Then, China sells it to Russia in exchange for cheap oil.

/s

 
 
 
Right Down the Center
Masters Guide
2.1.5  Right Down the Center  replied to  Texan1211 @2.1.3    3 months ago
Amazon Prime Days are coming up soon,

Dune 2 prime went on sale for 10 dollars a couple days early

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
2.1.6  cjcold  replied to  Texan1211 @2.1.1    3 months ago

You for one.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.1.7  Texan1211  replied to  cjcold @2.1.6    3 months ago

What?

I am one what??

Do you have a shred of credible evidence for your rather bizarre claims?

 
 
 
GregTx
Professor Guide
2.1.8  GregTx  replied to  Texan1211 @2.1.7    3 months ago

LOL original

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.1.9  Texan1211  replied to  GregTx @2.1.8    3 months ago

lol

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
2.2  JBB  replied to  shona1 @2    3 months ago

Twitter / X just banned thousands of Russian sock puppet accounts for spreading psyops level anti-Biden / pro-Trump fake news, memes and rank propaganda! Once released the MAGA spread it like wildfire!

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
2.2.1  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JBB @2.2    3 months ago

Doesn’t X’s actions run counter to the narrative?

 
 
 
cjcold
Professor Quiet
2.2.2  cjcold  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.2.1    3 months ago

Hey Comrad you would be a traitor if you were an American.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.2.3  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.2.1    3 months ago

Of course!

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.2.4  Texan1211  replied to  cjcold @2.2.2    3 months ago
Hey Comrad you would be a traitor if you were an American.

That is an asinine post.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
2.2.5  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  cjcold @2.2.2    3 months ago
Hey Comrad you would be a traitor if you were an American.

Exactly, I’ve been under cover since I became an US Army officer in 1976.  Almost 50 years of evading the man and selling out your country.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.2.6  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.2.5    3 months ago

Oh, God, you might even be one of those "red sparrows" someone was bloviating about!

I swear, I can't even dream of making so much shit up, it must be a learned trait.

 
 
 
GregTx
Professor Guide
2.2.7  GregTx  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.2.5    3 months ago

You forgot that /s thing again....

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.2.8  Texan1211  replied to  cjcold @2.2.2    3 months ago

Looks like your friends were bad shots and were unable to kill Trump today.

Tell me a story about the peaceful, tolerant liberals and leftists!

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Expert
2.2.9  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.6    3 months ago
Oh, God, you might even be one of those "red sparrows" someone was bloviating about!

Red ravens, but my honey pot operational days will soon be ending.

 
 
 
Texan1211
Professor Principal
2.2.10  Texan1211  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @2.2.9    3 months ago

See where they tried to kill Trump a little while ago?

Now we will hear the usual "kumbaya" calls.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
2.2.11  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.10    3 months ago

Yep shots fired. But the left is more sophisticated and tolerant 🤪

 
 
 
The Chad
Freshman Silent
3  The Chad    3 months ago

It's almost like an alternate reality watching people applaud the genocide of the Ukrainian people by fueling a war they cannot and will not win. Defense contractors have a hold on western governments. Very sad.

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
3.1  JBB  replied to  The Chad @3    3 months ago

There you go! original

 
 

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