The German government announced on Friday that Berlin takes reports of an assassination plot against the head of Rheinmetall arms manufacturer very seriously. It will not be intimidated by Russian threats.

CNN and The New York Times reported on Thursday that U.S. Intelligence had discovered a Russian plot to kill Armin Pappger, the CEO of a Ukrainian company that produces artillery shells as well as military vehicles.

CNN reported that the plot was part of a Russian plan to assassinate executives of Europe's defence industry who were supporting Ukraine's military effort. Washington informed Germany, and German security services could protect Papperger.

Nancy Faeser, Germany's interior minister said: "We won't allow ourselves to intimidated by Russia. We will continue to do all we can to stop Russian threats in Germany."

Rheinmetall did not confirm the reports directly, but in a press release it said that "necessary security measures are always taken", in consultation with authorities.

The Kremlin said that the reports were fake and based on anonymous source, they should not be taken serious.

Hensoldt is a German defence company that produces radar technology used for the IRIS T air defence system in Ukraine. The group said it would be reassessing its safety measures.

Two German-Russians were arrested in April by German authorities on suspicion of planning sabotage, including attacks on U.S. Military facilities, to undermine the military support for Ukraine.

Germany accuses Russia as well of the killing of an exiled Chechen and Georgian dissident who was murdered in Berlin's Tiergarten Park in 2019. Vadim Krasikov, the assassin who killed him, is currently serving a sentence of life imprisonment. The court has ruled that Russia is responsible for state terror.

The Tiergarten murder showed that Russia is not afraid to assassinate here, either. "We take any reports of murder plots very seriously," said Justice minister Marco Buschmann.

"Our security forces have a good position." "Russia wants to weaken our security forces, but it won't succeed: We are capable of defending us."

FEAR OF MORE ATTACKS

The safety of Papperger was already in question this year after his garden house, which the tabloid Bild described as being set on fire by far-left activists.

Papperger told reporters about the incident in May that he felt fortunate to be protected by security personnel.

"There may be people who dislike what I do." In this respect, Germany ensures my safety. "I am also grateful for this," he said to reporters at the moment.

He said, "Thank God I was not there," about the attack on his house. There are a lot crazy people in this world. Violence is not something I can accept. I will do everything in my power to defend myself against those who use violence. "Some people don't like it."

In a report, The Financial Times said that the level of protection provided to Papperger was now comparable to that given to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Roderich Käsewetter (conservative lawmaker) warned that further Russian attacks could be launched in Germany.

Kiesewetter, Handelsblatt: "The foiled assassination of Papperger shouldn't obscure the fact that Russia is targeting other targets and using espionage and targeted killings."

It is not by chance that a German court designated Russia a terrorist country." Reporting by Matthias Inverardi and Alexander Hubner. Writing by Matthias Williams. Editing by Peter Graff.