The United States and Germany have successfully thwarted a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, a prominent German arms manufacturer, CNN has reported.

Rheinmetall is one of the world's leading producers of artillery and tank shells. Since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Rheinmetall has been instrumental in supplying shells and vehicles to Ukraine, greatly enhancing Kyiv's capabilities to defend itself against Russian aggression. The company also plans to open an armoured vehicle plant in Ukraine.

American intelligence uncovered the assassination plot earlier in 2024, according to five unnamed sources described as "US and Western officials familiar with the episode." According to CNN, the plan was not standalone; it was part of a broader Russian campaign targeting defence industry executives across Europe who support Ukraine. The American outlet reported that the plan to kill Papperger was the "most mature" among these schemes.

Upon learning of the assassination attempt, US intelligence alerted German authorities. In response, German security services swiftly implemented protective measures for Papperger, successfully neutralising the threat.

“A high-level German government official confirmed that Berlin was warned about the plot by the US,” the CNN report states.

This report is just the latest example of Russia’s  campaign to undermine Europe through the use of local agents to carry out arson, vandalism and other disruptive activities aimed at hindering the delivery of Western arms to Ukraine and diminishing support for Kyiv.

Earlier in the week, CNN reported that Russia has been conducting a "bold" sabotage operation for over six months. According to a senior unnamed Nato official, these operations target both the weapon supply lines to Ukraine and the key decision-makers involved in the process.