According to media reports - The Kremlin rejects plans for Rheinmetall CEO
The Kreml has dismissed allegations of a Russian murder plot against Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger. "Such reports cannot be taken seriously," said Kreml spokesman Dmitri Peskow on Friday in Moscow, referring to media reports. "This is in the style of fake news," he emphasized.
Peskow was questioned by CNN regarding alleged Russian assassination plans. The US broadcaster referred to Western intelligence circles, stating that the USA and Germany had thwarted a Russian murder attempt on Papperger. Rheinmetall, a major weapons producer for Ukraine, commented on the report but did not confirm it.
The German Federal Ministry of the Interior, when asked by Reuters, remained tight-lipped and referred to a broad threat to Germany from Russia. "The threats range from espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks to state terrorism," said a spokesperson on Friday in Berlin. No further details could be provided. It is clear, however, that one is exposed to a diverse threat. "The German government will not be intimidated. We have significantly increased our protective measures in response to the Russian threat over the past two years," the spokesperson added.
Armin Papperger under protective custody
The "Spiegel" reported on Thursday evening, citing security sources, that in the past few months, intelligence services had observed suspicious travels of alleged agents. These 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, while others had planned to enter.
Suspicious individuals were reportedly detected not only near the Rheinmetall headquarters but also at Papperger's travel destinations abroad. Senior officials suspected that they could be Russian-hired henchmen. However, there were not enough grounds for arrests.
Papperger has received personal protection for a long time. In the past, there was already an arson attack on his garden pavilion.
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 include the production of new tanks.
Germany alarmed over alleged assassination plans
In Germany, the CNN report has caused outrage. "It once again shows that Russia carries its war and terror to Europe," said the chairman of the Defense Committee, Marcus Faber (FDP), to the "Bild" newspaper. "The Putin regime is not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values."
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth (SPD), told the newspaper that Putin was "not only waging a war of annihilation against Ukraine, but also against its supporters and our values."
Green security expert Konstantin von Notz demands decisive action if the report is proven true. "The reaction to similar incidents in the past was often too hesitant and indecisive," said the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee, which is also responsible for the intelligence services, to the Funke Media Group newspapers.
"Many still refuse to acknowledge the gravity of the conflict and the determination of the other side," Notz stated, looking at Russian aggression. "We must understand that it's no longer about isolated incidents, but our democracy and rule of law are seriously threatened and attacked by various authoritarian states."
According to a CNN report, this uncovered plan was part of a planned assassination series against leadership figures of defense companies across Europe, who support Ukraine's defense against Russia with their weapons.
Supporting Ukraine
CDU defense expert Serap Güler told "Bild": "Our response to that should, in my opinion, be a strong support for Ukraine." Roth from the SPD demanded that Germany's response must "be the strength of the democratic rule of law."
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) told 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 defense companies responsible for the course of the Ukraine war - Putin 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, as Papperger told the "Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung." Before the Russian war against Ukraine, it was 70,000. Papperger assumes that the war will still last a long time. It harms the Russians as well, but "it could still last forever, Russia has completely shifted its industry to war economy," the CEO said.
- In response to the CNN report, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany expressed concern over the alleged Russian assassination plans, calling for a strong response from Europe.
- Dmitri Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, also responded to these allegations, denying any involvement in the attack plan against Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall.
- Armin Papperger himself, under protective custody due to previous threats, has been a major supporter of Ukraine, with Rheinmetall being one of the largest European suppliers of tanks and artillery shells to the country.
- The Federal Interior Ministry in Germany has acknowledged the broad threat from Russia, including espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and state terrorism, and has increased protective measures in response.
- In Berlin, Michael Roth, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee from the SPD, expressed concern over Putin's actions against Ukraine and its supporters, calling it a war against their values.
- Konstantin von Notz, the chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee in the Green Party, urged decisive action if the report of Russian assassination plans is proven true.
- The Kremlin, in response to the allegations, has been accused by Western intelligence circles of spying on leadership figures of defense companies across Europe who support Ukraine's defense effort.
- The United States of America, along with Germany, has been active in thwarting Russian assassination plans, as indicated by John Kirby, Communications Director of the National Security Council.
- The attack plan against Armin Papperger was part of a larger series of planned assassinations against leadership figures of defense companies who support Ukraine's defense, according to the CNN report.
- After denying any involvement, the Russian government has faced criticism from various European allies, with other defense companies and leaders also expressing concern over the alleged Russian actions.
