Putin complained about Rheinmetall CEO Papperger to his security officials

According to a Feb.7 report by German outlet Focus, sources within Germany’s security circles said that the meeting involved Putin and senior officers of the army and military intelligence (GRU) in Rostov-on-Don in March 2024.

During this meeting, discussions included the supply of weapons manufactured by Rheinmetall to Ukraine and construction of a company factory on Ukrainian soil. According to the publication, the dictator mentioned Papperger by name four times.

This intelligence caused alarm among German security agencies, as conveyed by members of high-level security circles.

Following the incident, Papperger reportedly wears a heavy bulletproof vest when leaving his residence. Armed guards accompany him in an armored vehicle to business meetings. All visitors are pre-screened with police assistance, the publication noted.

Under Papperger’s leadership, Rheinmetall supplies Ukraine with Leopard tanks, Marder and Lynx infantry fighting vehicles, Gepard anti-aircraft artillery, Fuchs armored personnel carriers, air defense systems, and artillery ammunition.

On Jan. 28, senior NATO official James Appathurai stated that Russia had planned to assassinate Papperger.

On July 11, 2024, CNN reported that U.S. intelligence uncovered plans by the Russian government to kill the CEO of Rheinmetall.