Earlier this year, US intelligence uncovered a Russian government plan to assassinate the chief executive of a prominent German arms manufacturer supporting Ukraine's war effort. The plot aimed at Armin Papperger, the leader of Rheinmetall, a key producer of artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine, was part of a series of Russian schemes to target defense industry executives across Europe.
Upon learning of the assassination plan, US officials alerted Germany, enabling German security services to safeguard Papperger and thwart the plot. The revelation shed light on Russia's extensive sabotage campaign in Europe, utilizing tactics such as arson attacks and vandalism to impede weapon supplies to Ukraine and erode support for Kyiv.
