Kremlin denies Russian involvement in plot on German arms chief

A Kremlin spokesman on Friday denied Russia's involvement in an alleged plot to assassinate the head of German arms maker Rheinmetall, which has provided critical military aid to Ukraine.

Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow that he could not comment on the allegation, which was first reported by US broadcaster CNN on Thursday. "You can't take such reports seriously," he said, arguing that the article was unsubstantiated and based on anonymous sources.

According to the report, which has since been corroborated by the German Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, US intelligence earlier this year uncovered Russian government plans to assassinate Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Rheinmetall.

The report has provoked outrage in Berlin, with German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser saying the government is taking Russian threats "very seriously."