According to media reports - Alleged attack plans on Rheinmetall-CEO stir Berlin politicians
"CNN" Report on Alleged Russian Plot Against Armin Papperger of Rheinmetall Sparks Outrage in Germany
The "CNN" report on alleged Russian plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has caused outrage in Germany. "It once again shows that Russia is carrying its war and terror to Europe," said the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber (FDP), to the "Bild" newspaper. "The Putin regime is now targeting German citizens."
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth (SPD), told the paper that Putin was not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values.
According to "CNN", US intelligence services discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Papperger at the beginning of the year. The German side was reportedly informed, and the 61-year-old has been especially protected since then. Rheinmetall commented on the report, which also corresponds to information from the "Süddeutsche Zeitung", without confirmation.
The "Spiegel" reported on Thursday evening, citing security circles, that western intelligence services had observed suspicious travels of alleged agents in the past few months. The men were said to be from countries of the former Soviet Union, at least one from Russia. Some had already been in the Schengen Area, others had planned entries.
Suspicious individuals were reportedly detected not only near the Rheinmetall headquarters but also at Papperger's travel destinations abroad. Senior officials reportedly told the "Spiegel" that it could have been hired hands from Moscow. Arrests did not have sufficient evidence.
Armin Papperger under Protection
In the past, there has already been an arson attack on Papperger's garden shed. He has reportedly been receiving personal protection for some time. The CEO of the DAX group has repeatedly condemned the Russian attack war against Ukraine in clear terms.
Rheinmetall is one of the largest European suppliers of tank technology and artillery shells for the Ukraine and, according to its own statement, the largest manufacturer of artillery ammunition in the western world. In June, Rheinmetall opened a repair workshop for armored vehicles in western Ukraine. Plans also exist for the production of new tanks.
"Previously, Reactions Were Too Timid"
According to "CNN", five sources familiar with the situation confirmed the warnings to the German government from the US. A German government official confirmed this to the broadcaster.
Green security expert Konstantin von Notz demands decisive action if the report is true. "The reaction to comparable cases in the past was often too timid and indecisive," said the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee, which is also responsible for oversight of the intelligence services, to the Funke Media Group newspapers.
Allegedly, Other Defense Managers in the Crosshairs
According to the "CNN" report, the uncovered plan was part of a series of planned assassination attempts on leaders of arms companies in all of Europe who were supporting the Ukrainian defense war against Russia.
CDU defense expert Serap Güler told "Bild": "In my opinion, our reaction can only be a strengthened support for Ukraine." SPD man Roth demanded that the German response must be "the strength of the democratic rule of law."
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) told the "Bild am Sonntag" on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington that Russia is conducting a hybrid war of aggression. There have also been attacks on people on European territory as well as factories. John Kirby, communications director of the National Security Council of the USA, told Welt TV that Putin makes Western weapons manufacturers responsible for the course of the Ukraine war - the Kremlin chief himself could "end it tomorrow."
Rheinmetall aims to increase production
By 2026, Rheinmetall aims to increase its annual production of artillery shells to 1.1 million shots, according to Papperger in the "Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung." Before the Russian war against Ukraine, it was 70,000. Papperger assumes that the war will last a long time. It harms the Russians as well, but "it can last forever, Russia has completely converted its industry to war economy," said the CEO.
- The allegations of Russian plans against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger have sparked outrage in Germany, with Marcus Faber (FDP) expressing concern about Russia's war and terror extending to Europe.
- Michael Roth (SPD), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, believes Putin is not only waging war against Ukraine but also against its supporters and their values.
- According to CNN, US intelligence agencies discovered plans from the Russian government to assassinate Papperger at the beginning of the year, prompting enhanced security measures for the CEO.
- Western intelligence services have reportedly observed suspicious travel of alleged agents from countries of the former Soviet Union, with some entering the Schengen Area and others planning entries.
- Armin Papperger has received personal protection due to these threats, as he has openly condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine and Rheinmetall is one of its largest suppliers.
- Rheinmetall, a major European tank technology and artillery shell supplier, has expanded its operations in Ukraine, opening a repair workshop and planning new tank production.
- Konstantin von Notz, a Green security expert, has called for decisive action if the report of the Russian threats is true, citing past reactions as being too timid and indecisive.
- According to CNN, the alleged Russian assassination plan against Papperger was part of a series targeting defense leaders in Europe supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia.
- CDU defense expert Serap Güler and SPD man Roth have advocated for stronger support for Ukraine and demonstrating the strength of democratic rule of law in response to these threats.
