Russian intelligence agencies attempted to kill the head of Rheinmetall, a leading German defense company supplying weapons to Ukraine. In April 2024, criminals attacked and set fire to Armin Papperger's home in Hermannsburg, writes Bloomberg.
American intelligence warned Germany about a Russian plot to assassinate Papperger.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rheinmetall's shares increased 18-fold, and 8 billion euros were invested in production.
Papperger expanded the company, planning the construction of four Ukrainian plants, the acquisition of Expal Systems for 1.2 billion dollars, and large-scale ammunition production development.
For the first time, a high-ranking NATO official confirmed the existence of a Russian plan to kill the head of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, in January. The plot, foiled by US and German intelligence, was part of a series of Russian plans to assassinate defense industry leaders across Europe.