German Response to Russian Threats and Impact on Rheinmetall

German Response to Russian Threats

Berlin stated on Friday that it remains steadfast in its stance against Russian attempts to undermine its support for Ukraine. The German government emphasized that it will not be intimidated by such actions.

Regarding a recent report by CNN, which suggested that Russia had planned to assassinate the CEO of a leading German defense company supporting Ukraine, Armin Papperger of Rheinmetall, German authorities neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Maximilian Kall mentioned that while they cannot comment on specific threats, they take the heightened risks posed by Russian aggression very seriously. Security measures have been significantly bolstered since 2022 to counter various threats, including espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and state terrorism.

Kall reiterated the German government’s firm support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, emphasizing that they will not be swayed by such tactics.

Response from Kremlin

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the CNN report, labeling it as “fake news” and not worthy of serious consideration.

Impact of Ukraine Conflict on Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall, a major military technology and artillery supplier, has seen a surge in its business due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The CEO, Armin Papperger, reported record-high shares in 2023, attributed to the increased demand for arms in the region.

Series of Incidents

The alleged plot against Papperger is said to be part of a larger series of Russian attempts to target defense industry executives in Europe supporting Ukraine. Earlier this year, German authorities arrested two German-Russian individuals on suspicion of espionage, one of whom was reportedly planning attacks on US military facilities.

Germany has emerged as a key weapons supplier to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion more than two years ago, solidifying its support for the war-torn country.