Russia's Secret War and the Plot to Kill a German CEO

> A few months later, CNN revealed that US intelligence agencies had warned Germany earlier in the year that Russia was preparing to kill Papperger, the most advanced of a series of plans to kill defense industry executives across Europe. The story did not mention the arson attack—which appeared to be an act of intimidation rather than an actual targeting of the CEO—but people familiar with the situation said the assassination plot involving Russian proxies was active at the time it occurred. The arsonists were never caught, leaving their possible involvement in the wider scheme a mystery.

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> Papperger declined to comment on the plot to kill him, about which much remains unresolved. In June 2024 local prosecutors dropped the investigation into who planted the incendiary device at his home, citing a lack of evidence. Police in Düsseldorf also investigated the broader assassination plot but dropped their probe, saying they had no “concrete leads.” That surprised several people familiar with the situation, who say US intelligence had provided German officials with extensive details, including specific information about suspected individuals and intent.

> Even before the arson, the German government had quietly boosted Papperger’s security to a level equaling that of the German chancellor. This happened earlier than has been previously reported. Today, Papperger is surrounded by bodyguards 24/7. Two armed guards with machine guns are stationed outside Rheinmetall’s modern glass office headquarters in Düsseldorf, alongside two police vans. His white brick home in a wealthy suburb also has two police officers armed with machine guns, a police van and a police booth out front. Multiple guards typically accompany him to lunch or meetings.