Stefan Thumann, CEO of drone supplier Donaustahl, targeted in alleged Russian assassination plot

Stefan Thumann, the CEO of the German defense startup Donaustahl, has reportedly been the target of an assassination attempt by Russian intelligence services. Thumann, whose company supplies combat drones to Ukraine, has been living in hiding under constant security protection for several months after receiving warnings from German intelligence services in late 2025.

According to information released by CDU Member of Parliament Bastian Ernst, the alleged plot involved the use of the nerve agent Novichok. In March, the German Federal Prosecutor ordered the arrest of two individuals identified as agents who were reportedly surveilling Thumann to gather logistical data for an attack.

Thumann has stated that the threat was severe enough to compel him to write a will and prepare organ donation documents. He describes the situation as a “struggle for my life with Russian intelligence” and notes that he must constantly change his location to evade detection.