U.S., Germany foil alleged Russian plot to assassinate CEO of German arms firm sending weapons to Ukraine

Russia planned to assassinate the CEO of a major German arms manufacturer that provides artillery ammunition and armored vehicles to Ukraine, but the plot was uncovered and disrupted by U.S. and German authorities, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of the matter.

The alleged plot targeted Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall AG, Europe's largest producer of ammunition, whose company makes 155 mm artillery rounds for Ukraine and plans to open several plants inside the country to produce both ammunition and armored vehicles, including the Lynx infantry fighting vehicle. U.S. intelligence agencies discovered the plan to go after Papperger earlier this year and informed the German government, the sources said.

CNN first reported on the assassination plot.

Papperger was one of a number of defense industry chiefs in Europe to be targeted but the plot against him was believed to be more advanced, the sources said.

The revelations followed recent warnings from NATO's secretary-general, European governments and U.S. officials about an expanding effort by Moscow to disrupt arms deliveries to Ukraine as it tries to defend itself against invading Russian troops.

The White House National Security Council would not comment directly on the specific case involving Rheinmetall, but council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the Biden administration was concerned about the growing threat of Russian sabotage. 

"While I don't have a comment on this specific report, Russia's intensifying campaign of subversion is something that we are taking extremely seriously and have been intently focused on over the past few months," Watson said. "The United States has been discussing this issue with our NATO Allies, and we