NATO acknowledged that Russia intended to assassinate the head of the Rheinmetall group.

NATO has confirmed the existence of a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

This was reported by James Appathurai, NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber Issues, as noted by Politico.

It is emphasized that this is the first time a high-ranking representative from NATO, Germany, or the USA has officially acknowledged the conspiracy to kill Papperger.

Appathurai stated that the conspiracy, uncovered by US and German intelligence, was part of a series of Russian plans aimed at eliminating defense industry leaders across Europe.

“We have seen instances of sabotage occurring in NATO countries over the past few years, including train derailments, arson attacks, assaults on politicians' properties, and conspiracies to assassinate industry leaders, such as the public head of Rheinmetall, but there have been other plots as well,” said the Alliance representative during a European Parliament committee meeting on hybrid warfare on January 28.

He noted that the Russians recruit executors for their plots via the internet, involving “criminal groups or unsuspecting youth or migrants.”

“Overall, they (the plots - Mind) are poorly executed, but they are designed to create anxiety in order to undermine support for Ukraine,” added the NATO representative.

He also informed the MEPs that Russia’s strategic doctrine is focused on winning through the use of “any available tools,” including damaging infrastructure or political interference.

Appathurai reiterated NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's call to adopt a “wartime mindset.”

Background. Previously, Mind reported that Rheinmetall will produce another 180,000 shells for Ukraine's Gepard systems. The shells can be used to combat various aerial targets, including drones.