Russia planned to kill Rheinmetall chief

A NATO representative has publicly stated for the first time that Russia had a plan to eliminate Armin Papperger, the head of the German defence company Rheinmetall.

Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO James Appathurai spoke at a European Parliament committee session dedicated to hybrid threats. 

In his report, he noted that sabotage incidents have increased in NATO countries over the past two years. These include train derailments, arson, attacks on politicians' property, and attempts to organise the assassinations of industrial leaders, including Papperger.

Appathurai emphasised that Russia actively employs sabotage methods on the territory of Western countries. According to him, to carry out such operations, it uses the internet as a recruitment tool, engaging criminal groups and gullible young people.