The United States and Germany have foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, CEO of the German Rheinmetall concern, CNN reports, citing five American and Western officials familiar with the episode.

“ … US intelligence discovered earlier this year that the Russian government planned to assassinate the chief executive of a powerful German arms manufacturer that has been producing artillery shells and military vehicles for Ukraine,” the message reads.

It is noted that the United States informed Germany about this, whose security services were able to protect Papperger and thwart the plot. A senior German government official confirmed that Berlin had been warned by the United States about the plot.

In addition, according to one of the sources familiar with the intelligence, Russia is deeply concerned about the information that in the coming weeks Rheinmetall will open a factory for the production of armored vehicles on the territory of Ukraine.

The German Embassy in Washington and Rheinmetall spokesman Oliver Hoffmann declined to comment.

"The necessary measures are always taken during regular consultations with the security authorities," Hoffmann said.