In a shocking revelation, it has been reported by a U.S. official and a source familiar with the matter that Russia had planned to assassinate the CEO of Rheinmetall AG, a major German arms manufacturer. Rheinmetall, Europe's largest producer of ammunition, provides artillery rounds and armored vehicles to Ukraine, a country currently facing aggression from Russian forces.

The alleged plot specifically targeted Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall AG, who had announced plans to establish production plants for ammunition and armored vehicles, including the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, inside Ukraine. The sources revealed that U.S. intelligence agencies discovered the plan earlier this year and subsequently informed the German government about the threat.

Although Papperger was one of several defense industry chiefs in Europe to be targeted, the plot against him was believed to be more advanced. This unsettling news follows recent warnings from NATO's secretary-general, European governments, and U.S. officials regarding Russia's escalating efforts to disrupt arms deliveries to Ukraine, as the country defends itself against invading Russian troops.

While the White House National Security Council did not comment directly on the specific case involving Rheinmetall, Adrienne Watson, a council spokesperson, expressed concern about the growing threat of Russian sabotage. She highlighted that the United States has been actively working with its NATO Allies to expose and disrupt such activities, asserting that Russia's actions will not deter Allies from supporting Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Democratic minority on the House Intelligence Committee refrained from commenting on the alleged plot. However, they emphasized that Russia's failure to achieve its agenda in Ukraine has led to an increase in illegal and aggressive activities, including those targeting NATO countries. The Intelligence Committee continues to closely monitor these threats, reinforcing their resolve to support Ukraine.

The article also references NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's recent announcement that alliance members plan to impose further restrictions on Russian intelligence agents and strengthen security for key infrastructure to counter Moscow's tactics of sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation aimed at weakening Western support for Ukraine.

Past reports indicate that Russia has been conducting a sabotage campaign across Europe in a bid to undermine Western support for Ukraine. This includes alleged arson attacks on Ukrainian-linked warehouses in the United Kingdom, plots to bomb or set fire to military bases in Germany, attempts to disrupt Europe's railway signal network, and the jamming of GPS systems for civil aviation.

The collaboration between Rheinmetall and Ukraine is part of a larger effort by European governments to assist Kyiv in building its own defense industry and reducing reliance on Western assistance. Rheinmetall's plans to enable the production of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and establish a joint production plant for artillery ammunition in Ukraine have marked significant steps towards this goal.

As tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine, it becomes increasingly crucial for global authorities to remain vigilant and counter any attempts to disrupt security and stability. The exposed plot against Rheinmetall's CEO serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of Russian subversion and the pressing need for unified action to support Ukraine's defense.