Friday, July 12, 2024

Russia tried to assassinate CEO of German arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine - report

Asked about the CNN report at the current NATO summit in Washington, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia was waging a hybrid war of aggression, including cyberattacks and sabotage.


By REUTERS
JULY 12, 2024 
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Security Council via a video link in Moscow, Russia, July 21, 2023.(photo credit: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Kremlin via REUTERS)

US intelligence discovered that Russia planned to assassinate the chief executive of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall which has been producing artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine, CNN and the New York Times reported on Thursday.

The plot to kill Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger was one of a series of Russian government plans to assassinate defense industry executives across Europe who were supporting Ukraine's war effort, CNN reported, citing five unidentified US and Western officials as saying the plot was discovered earlier this year.

The US informed Germany, the report said, adding that German security services were able to protect Papperger.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined to comment on the report when asked about it during a press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, adding that the government was highly aware of the numerous threats to which it was exposed.

Rheinmetall said in a statement that "necessary measures are always taken" in regular consultation with security authorities.
Tank gun barrels and towers for Leopard 2A 4 tanks are pictured beside a production line of German company Rheinmetall, which produces weapons and ammunition for tanks and artillery, during a media tour at the company’s plant in Unterluess, Germany, June 6, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/FABIAN BIMMER/FILE PHOTO)

The Russian embassy in Washington and the Kremlin were not immediately available for comment.

The New York Times cited multiple Western officials in its report while the Financial Times also reported on the plot, referencing NATO diplomats

Rheinmetall, one of the world's biggest producers of artillery and tank shells, began ramping up production after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In May 2023, it said it had set up a joint venture with Ukrainian state-owned conglomerate Ukroboronprom to build and repair tanks in Ukraine.

Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev, a close ally of current President Vladimir Putin, said Russia would retaliate by hitting any facility Rheinmetall set up in Ukraine.

In February, Rheinmetall announced that it also planned to open an ammunition factory in Ukraine.
Vigilant

Two months on, Papperger - who has been with Rheinmetall for 34 years, including more than 11 years as CEO - made headlines when his garden house was set on fire by what tabloid newspaper Bild said were far-left activists.

Italy's Leonardo, which last week formed a joint venture with Rheinmetall to produce tanks, has no plans to increase security measures for its executives, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

Asked about the CNN report at the current NATO summit in Washington, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia was waging a hybrid war of aggression, including cyberattacks and sabotage of infrastructure.

"This underlines once again that we as Europeans must protect ourselves as best we can and not be naive," she said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, in response to a question on the CNN report, said he had seen a Russian campaign of hostile acts against NATO, which he said only led to allies stepping up support for Ukraine.

A spokesperson for Germany's Interior Ministry declined to comment on the CNN report, adding that the government was generally taking the threats posed by Moscow very seriously.

"Our security authorities are very vigilant and act accordingly, in close cooperation with our international partners," the spokesperson said. "The federal government will not be intimidated by the Russian threats. We will continue to do everything in our power to prevent possible threats in Germany."

Ger­many's do­mes­tic in­tel­li­gence ser­vices declined to comment.

When asked about the CNN report, a spokesperson for Rheinmetall peer Saab declined to comment, saying only that as a defense company it always had "preparedness and routines to protect the business and our employees."



Germany warns of security threats after alleged Russian plot to kill head of arms firm

‘Threats range from espionage, sabotage and cyberattacks to state terrorism,’ Interior Minister Nancy Faeser says

Oliver Towfigh Nia |12.07.2024 -


BERLIN

Germany on Friday warned of mounting Russian threats amid reports about an alleged Russian plot to kill the chief executive of major German arms manufacturer Armin Papperger, whose company has been producing artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine.

“We do not comment on individual threatening situations. But one thing is very clear: We are taking the significantly increased threat from Russian aggression very seriously,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told German Press Agency (dpa).

We act together with international partners and the security authorities of the countries to protect Germany and thwart the plans of Russian President Vladimir Putin, she added.

The foiled plot against the head of Dusseldorf-based Rheinmetall was first reported by CNN.

Faeser stressed that “we won’t allow ourselves to be intimidated” amid Russian attempts to what she said was undermining support for Ukraine.

In view of the Russian threats, protective measures have been massively increased in the past two years, according to the minister. “The threats range from espionage, sabotage and cyberattacks to state terrorism,” she said.

The interior minister recalled two possible acts of sabotage that German counterintelligence had prevented in April. At that time, two men were arrested in Bavaria who were accused of planning sabotage actions, particularly against German support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

“Our security authorities have acted very consistently and prevented possible explosive attacks in Germany. We will continue to do everything we can to prevent Russian threats in Germany,” Faeser said.

On June 18, Faeser had already warned of growing espionage and cyber threats from foreign adversaries including Russia and China.

"The threat to our democracy from espionage, sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks has reached a new dimension," the minister told reporters in Berlin as she presented an annual report by Germany's domestic secret service.

Russia adjusted its intelligence strategy following the expulsion of its diplomats from Germany in 2023, according to Faeser.

The Kremlin is now waging a more intense, many-sided campaign against Berlin, and conducting espionage while also carrying out cyberattacks and disinformation operations, she added.

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