146
NATO has confirmed that Russia was involved in planning the assassination of Armin Papperger, the head of the German arms company Rheinmetall, Politico reports.
NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber Affairs James Appathurai said that the plot, which was foiled by US and German intelligence services, was part of Russian plans to eliminate defense industry leaders across Europe.
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed cases of sabotage that have taken place in NATO countries. By this I mean train derailments, arson, attacks on politicians’ properties, plots to assassinate industry leaders, such as the heads of Rheinmetall, but there have been other plots as well,” he said at a meeting of the European Parliament’s committee on hybrid warfare.
Appathurai added that the Russians recruit personnel for their conspiracies online, involving criminal groups, youth or migrants.
“As a rule, these acts are carried out roughly, but with a specific purpose - to sow disquiet and undermine support for Ukraine,” the NATO representative explained.
The publication noted that this is the first time a high-ranking NATO representative has confirmed the fact of a conspiracy to assassinate Papperger.
“The Secretary-General said in his first speech that we need a military mentality, not least because there is a continuous and growing campaign of destabilization being waged against all our countries. Even sabotage,” Appathurai told reporters after the hearings.
The NATO representative recalled that in the past the West was able to stop Russia from committing acts of sabotage by setting “red lines” at the highest level, Reuters reported. In particular, he recalled the case when incendiary devices intended for DHL flights were discovered in a German warehouse.
“They can be stopped if you define your red lines among yourselves and then communicate them effectively, and that doesn't necessarily mean publicity,” Appathurai stressed.
The NATO representative also called on the Alliance to take a more assertive stance towards Moscow and not wait for the end of the police investigation, which could last months:
“In our opinion, establishing accountability is important, but it cannot be an obstacle to action.”
Appathurai warned that if Russia's criminal activities are not stopped, Europe's economy will be seriously damaged.
“$10 trillion worth of economic activity passes through undersea cables, four trillion of which goes across the Atlantic,” he said.
Assassination attempt on Rheinmetall's head – what is known
Recall that last year, CNN, citing American and Western officials, reported that the United States and Germany had foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of the German company Rheinmetall. According to the sources, the plot was one of a series of Russian plans to assassinate defense industry executives across Europe.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg soon criticized Moscow for preparing the assassination attempt on Papperger. He also mentioned cyberattacks, arson and other “various types of hostile actions” committed by Russia.
