Serbian ammo sales raise tensions with Russia amidst the Ukraine war
The Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) accuses Serbia of secretly supplying ammunition to Ukraine. The transfers reportedly occur mainly through the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria, and include artillery shells, among other items.
For years, Serbia has maintained connections with Russia on multiple levels, including economic and military ties. It is still considered one of the European countries closest to Moscow. However, in light of the war in Ukraine, Belgrade has officially adopted a stance of neutrality. In the SVR report titled "Serbia's military industry is trying to shoot Russia in the back", it is explicitly stated that Serbia is not maintaining this neutral stance, as evidenced by the alleged secret transfers of Serbian weaponry.
Kremlin accuses ally of betrayal
"The Serbian military-industrial complex is trying to stab Russia in the back. According to information received by the SVR, Serbian defense companies continue to supply ammunition to Kiev, contrary to Belgrade's declared neutrality. Among the latter, NATO countries, primarily the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria, feature most often. Recently, unusual options involving African states have also been used for this purpose," the Russians write.
The SVR report estimates that Serbia has provided Ukraine with at least 100,000 shells for MLRS and artillery howitzers, as well as 1 million rounds of ammunition for firearms.
Valuable support for Kyiv
Countries that for years relied on Soviet and Russian weapons and ammunition, and also produced them, but now no longer maintain such close relations with Moscow, are very valuable allies for Kyiv. A prime example is Bulgaria, but Serbian stockpiles also hold much equipment valuable to the Ukrainian army.
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia produced, among others, M63P1 shells of 4 inches in caliber, M62P10 mortar shells of 5 inches in caliber, and G-2000 rocket projectiles of 5 inches in caliber, suitable for BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers used by the Ukrainian army.
The SVR report has already been commented on by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. In an interview with RTS television, he stated that after a conversation with Vladimir Putin, it was decided to establish a team to determine all the facts in this matter.
— I serve only my people and Serbia, and this policy will continue, but I will definitely give an order and a warning that where there is a suspicion of abuse by end users and shipment to the battlefields without our knowledge, such contracts are not executed, — said Vučić.
