Russian Offensive War - Indignation over alleged murder plans against Rheinmetall-CEO
CNN report on alleged Russian assassination plans against Armin Papperger, Rheinmetall CEO, causes outrage in Germany. "It shows once again 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 destruction war against Ukraine but also against its supporters and our values.
USA and Germany working together
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 then 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.
In the past, there was already an arson attack on Papperger's garden shed. He has been receiving personal protection for a long time. The CEO of the DAX corporation has repeatedly condemned the Russian aggression 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.
"Previous reactions were too hesitant"
CNN cites five sources familiar with the situation in the US and other Western countries. A German government official confirmed to the broadcaster that such warnings had been received in Berlin.
The Greens' security expert Konstantin von Notz demands decisive action if the report is true. "The reaction to similar cases in the past was often too hesitant and indecisive," said the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee, which is also responsible for oversight of the intelligence agencies, to the Funke Media Group newspapers.
"Many still want to deny the seriousness of the conflict and the determination of the other side," said von Notz with regard to Russian aggression. "We must understand that it's no longer about isolated incidents, but our democracy and rule of law are being seriously threatened and attacked by various authoritarian states."
Other defense managers allegedly in Russia's crosshairs
According to the CNN report, the discovered plan was part of a planned assassination series against leadership figures of arms companies across Europe who are supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia.
The CDU defense expert Serap Güler told "Bild": "Our response to that should be a strong support for Ukraine." SPD man Roth demanded that the German response be "the strength of the democratic rule of law."
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) told the Nato summit in Washington that Russia was waging a hybrid war. There have been attacks on people on European territory as well as on factories. The communications director of the US National Security Council, John Kirby, told Welt TV that Putin was making Western arms companies responsible for the course of the Ukraine war - Putin himself could "end it tomorrow."
Rheinmetall plans to increase production
By 2026, Rheinmetall aims to increase its annual production of artillery shells to 1.1 million rounds, as Papperger told the "Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung". Before the Russian war against Ukraine, it was 70,000. Papperger assumes that the war will last for a long time. It harms the Russians as well, but "it can last forever, Russia has completely shifted its industry to war economy", said the CEO.
CNN report "FAZ" interview "SZ" report
- The CNN report about alleged Russian assassination plans against Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, has sparked indignation in Germany and Europe.
- According to Michael Roth (SPD), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Putin's actions go beyond waging war against Ukraine; he is also targeting its supporters and our values.
- In response to CNN's revelation, the US and Germany have strengthened their cooperation in addressing the threat posed by Russia.
- CNN reported that US intelligence services discovered a murder plan against Papperger at the beginning of the year and shared this information with German authorities.
- Rheinmetall, a major player in Europe's armament industry, has stepped up its support for Ukraine's defense, supplying tank technology and artillery shells.
- In light of the threats, Papperger has been receiving personal protection for a long time, and security measures have been increased around him and Rheinmetall facilities.
- The alleged assassination plan against Papperner is part of a larger series of attacks against defense leaders in European countries supporting Ukraine, as reported by CNN.
- Constantin von Notz, the Greens' security expert, has demanded decisive action if the report is proven true, citing previous hesitation in responding to similar cases.
- Russia's actions are a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law across Europe, according to von Notz, who calls for a unified response from European nations.
- Armin Papperger, in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," revealed Rheinmetall's plans to significantly increase its artillery shell production by 2026 to aid Ukraine.
- The United States National Security Council's communications director, John Kirby, has accused Putin of making Western arms companies responsible for the Ukraine war and accused him of carrying out attacks on people and factories in Europe.
- The CDU defense expert, Serap Güler, and SPD man Roth have called for strong support for Ukraine and the upholding of democratic rule of law in response to the threat posed by Russia.
- Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has condemned Russia's hybrid war tactic, which includes attacks on people and factories, at the NATO summit in Washington.
