German drone CEO in hiding over Russian assassination plot

The chief executive of a German defence startup supplying attack drones to Ukraine has been living in hiding for months after German authorities warned that Russian intelligence agents posed a threat to his life.

Stefan Thumann, CEO of Donaustahl, told private broadcaster RTL and magazine Stern in a joint interview that German officials warned him in late 2025 that Russian intelligence was allegedly planning an attack against him.

“I'm fighting a duel with the Russian military intelligence service for my life,” Thumann said.

“Constantly changing locations, 24-hour personal security, my private life has ceased to exist,” he added.

Thumann said the security measures had radically changed his daily routine. He now sleeps next to his computer and begins working immediately after waking up to distract himself from the situation.

German prosecutors said in March that they had arrested two alleged “disposable agents” suspected of spying on Thumann as part of preparations for a possible assassination attempt. The term refers to individuals with limited training who are allegedly recruited by intelligence services to carry out specific missions for relatively small sums of money.

However, RTL cited a German lawmaker as saying that plans targeting Thumann remained at an advanced stage and allegedly involved the use of a nerve agent.

The case comes amid broader concerns in Germany over potential Russian intelligence operations targeting the country’s defense industry, particularly companies involved in supporting Ukraine.

In 2024, US authorities reportedly thwarted an alleged Russian plot to assassinate Armin Papperger, chief executive of German defence giant Rheinmetall.

By Vafa Guliyeva