U.S. and German intelligence agencies thwarted a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of Rheinmetall, a major German arms manufacturer supplying weapons to Ukraine. The plot, part of a series of Kremlin-led covert operations targeting European defense executives, was uncovered earlier this year, prompting heightened security for Papperger. NATO officials and Western leaders have expressed serious concerns about Russia's hybrid war tactics, which include sabotage, cyber attacks, and assassination plots. Moscow has dismissed the reports as 'fake stories,' while German officials emphasized their commitment to countering Russian threats. This escalation in covert aggression underscores Russia's broader strategy to destabilize Western support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.