WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. intelligence discovered earlier this year that Russia planned to assassinate the chief executive of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall that has been producing artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine, CNN reported on Thursday, citing five unidentified U.S. and Western officials.
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, according to CNN.
The United States informed Germany, the report said, adding that German security services were able to protect Papperger.
Rheinmetall said in a statement that “necessary measures are always taken” in regular consultation with security authorities.
The company is one of the world’s biggest producers of artillery and tank shells. It began ramping up production after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In February, Rheinmetall announced that it planned to open an ammunition factory in Ukraine.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward and Ismail Shakil; additing reporting by Matthias Inverardi in Duesseldorf, Germany; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
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