WASHINGTON: The United States foiled a Russian plot earlier this year to assassinate the chief executive of a major German arms maker supplying weaponry to Ukraine, CNN claimed on Thursday.

The US cable television network, citing five unidentified US and Western officials, said the United States informed Germany of the Russian government`s plan to kill Armin Papperger, the head of Rheinmetall, and he was given protection byGerman security services.

It said the assassination plot was one of `a series of Russian plans discovered by US intelligence` to kill European defence industry executives supporting Ukraine`s war effort.

Rheinmetall produces 155mm artillery shells and plans to begin manufacturing armoured vehicles in Ukraine, according to CNN The CNN report comes as Nato leaders are holding meetings in Washington to mark the 75th anniversary of thedefence bloc.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: `In view of the latest reports on Rhinmetall, this is what we have actually been communicating more and more clearly in recent months.

`Russia is waging a hybrid war of aggression,` Baerbock said.

`With sabotage, with cyber attacks, with the paralysis of GPS so that Baltic aircraft can no longer land in neighbouring countries.-AFP