US and German intelligence foiled a Russian assassination plot targeting Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, Germany's largest arms manufacturer supplying artillery shells and military vehicles to Ukraine. The plot was the most mature among several Russian efforts to target European defense industry executives aiding Ukraine. US informed Germany, enabling protective measures that prevented the assassination. This intelligence emerged amid a broader Russian sabotage campaign across Europe including arson, vandalism, and sabotage against arms supply chains and military targets, with some acts involving local proxies. NATO officials acknowledge these actions as lethal covert operations marking a shadow war that risks escalation. Germany emphasizes resilience against Russian hybrid aggression. The plot’s foiling highlights heightened intelligence sharing and strategic concerns within NATO about ongoing Russian covert sabotage and assassination attempts to undermine Western support for Ukraine.

US and German intelligence foiled a Russian assassination plot targeting Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, Germany's largest arms manufacturer supplying artillery shells and military vehicles to Ukraine. The plot was the most mature among several Russian efforts to target European defense industry executives aiding Ukraine. US informed Germany, enabling protective measures that prevented the assassination. This intelligence emerged amid a broader Russian sabotage campaign across Europe including arson, vandalism, and sabotage against arms supply chains and military targets, with some acts involving local proxies. NATO officials acknowledge these actions as lethal covert operations marking a shadow war that risks escalation. Germany emphasizes resilience against Russian hybrid aggression. The plot’s foiling highlights heightened intelligence sharing and strategic concerns within NATO about ongoing Russian covert sabotage and assassination attempts to undermine Western support for Ukraine.