Russia on Thursday accused Serbia of exporting arms to Ukraine, saying it is a stab within the again by its longtime Slavic Balkan ally.
“Serbian defense enterprises, contrary to the ‘neutrality’ declared by official Belgrade, continue to supply ammunition to Kyiv,” the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, SVR, stated in a press release.
The assertion alleged that the export of the Serbian arms to Ukraine goes by NATO intermediaries, “primarily the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria. Recently, exotic options involving African states have also been used for this purpose.”
Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic instructed the state RTS tv that he has not too long ago mentioned the problem of the arms exports to Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that it was agreed that the 2 nations kind a “working group” to ascertain how Serbian-made weapons attain the Ukrainian frontlines.
Serbian arms exports to Ukraine, largely the Soviet-era caliber ammunition nonetheless utilized by Ukraine’s protection forces, have lengthy been recognized since 2023, however it’s not clear why the Russian overseas safety service determined to react now.
In March, Serbia denied it exported arms to Ukraine after Moscow demanded to know if it had delivered hundreds of rockets for Ukraine’s struggle in opposition to Russia’s invasion.
The SVR assertion stated the arms gross sales are being carried out by a “simple scheme using fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries,” serving as “a cover for anti-Russian actions.”
It added: “The contribution of Serbian defense industry workers to the war unleashed by the West, the outcome of which Europe would like to see as a ‘strategic defeat’ of Russia, amounts to hundreds of thousands of shells… as well as a million rounds of ammunition for small arms.”
“It is unlikely that such supplies can be justified by ‘humanitarian considerations.’ They have one obvious purpose – to kill and maim Russian military personnel and the civilian population of Russia,” it stated.
“It seems that the desire of Serbian defense industry workers and their patrons to profit from the blood of fraternal Slavic peoples has made them completely forget who their real friends are and who their enemies are.”
The assaults on Serbia from the East and West “are frequent because it leads autonomous and independent policies,” Vucic stated.
Although claiming he desires Serbia to affix the European Union, Vucic has maintained shut relations with Russia. He defied EU warnings and attended Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9. EU officers stated that it was inappropriate for Vucic to face aspect by aspect with Putin, contemplating Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Vucic has stated his resolution to attend the parade, which marked the World War II victory over Nazi Germany, was a part of efforts to keep up “traditional friendships” – Russia is a fellow Slavic and Orthodox Christian nation – whereas looking for EU entry.
Serbia, which depends nearly totally on Russia for its power provides, has refused to affix Western sanctions on Russia imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and hasn’t supported most EU statements condemning the aggression.
Source: www.dailysabah.com