Serbian firms secretly delivering ammunition to Ukraine
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused Serbian defense companies of using false documentation and third parties to covertly ship artillery shells, rockets, and small arms ammunition to Ukraine.
The agency made the allegation in a statement published on its website on Wednesday, titled 'The Serbian Defense Industry Is Trying to Shoot Russia in the Back.'
'According to information received by the SVR, Serbian defense firms continue to supply ammunition to Kiev, in violation of the 'neutrality' declared by Belgrade,' the statement read.
The SVR claimed that Serbian companies have used 'fake end-user certificates' to route weapons through Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and other NATO countries, as well as unspecified African states. These arms, the agency said, later surfaced in Ukraine. According to the SVR, 100,000 rockets and howitzer shells, along with one million small arms rounds, have been transferred in this manner. Major Serbian weapons manufacturers, including the state-owned Yugoimport-SDPR, were allegedly complicit in the scheme.
'It seems that the desire of Serbian defense firms and their backers to profit from the bloodshed between brotherly Slavic nations has made them forget who their true friends are – and who their enemies are,' the SVR stated.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that he had discussed ammunition exports during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May. 'We have formed a working group with our Russian partners to establish the facts,' he told broadcaster RTS.
Commenting on the SVR's claims, Vucic maintained that 'some of the statements that have been made are not true.'
'For example, they claim there is a contract with the Czech Republic. However, no permit has been issued, and no missiles have been delivered,' he said. 'I will certainly issue an order and a warning that if there is any suspicion of abuse of the so-called end-user policies –namely, the sending of ammunition to warzones – we should be informed immediately.' Vucic emphasized that Serbia maintains 'good relations' with both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia and Serbia have enjoyed close historical and cultural ties since the 19th century. Belgrade has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow and has repeatedly warned against further escalation. Vucic has said he has resisted Western efforts to draw Serbia into a confrontation with Russia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
Kremlin responds to Ukraine's criticism of peace proposal
Ukraine's demands that Russia 'immediately' delivers its draft roadmap for ceasefire talks are undermining diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. Delegations from both countries are expected to meet soon to discuss their respective proposals for a truce. Moscow yesterday proposed a meeting in Istanbul on Monday to discuss the drafts. In response, Ukrainian officials criticized Moscow for not sharing its document ahead of time, accusing Russia of stalling the talks process. 'Demanding [to see the Russian document] immediately is just unconstructive. They should either confirm they are prepared for talks or say otherwise,' Peskov told reporters on Thursday during a regular briefing. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Kiev's lead negotiator, said on Wednesday that he had already sent Ukraine's draft to Moscow and claimed Russia was delaying its response. Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga echoed the sentiment, insisting Russia should 'immediately submit their proposals for our consideration.' Umerov also repeated Ukraine's call for 'a full and unconditional ceasefire.' Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, said on Wednesday that he had contacted Umerov to finalize the date and venue for an exchange of memorandums. The next round of talks would also involve 'substantive discussion of each point of the package agreement on a future ceasefire,' he added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later confirmed that Moscow's document is ready, ahead of a proposed resumption of talks, sparking the complaints from Kiev. Peskov said that Kiev had yet to formally confirm participation in the meeting. Ukrainian officials previously insisted upon a 30-day pause in hostilities as a precondition for negotiations. Russia rejected the proposal, arguing it would give Kiev time to regroup militarily. Ukraine later revised its position after the administration of US President Donald Trump stated that it saw direct Russia-Ukraine talks as the next logical step toward a peace settlement. While pursuing diplomacy, Ukraine has also urged its Western backers to impose additional sanctions over Russia's refusal to accept an immediate ceasefire and has also intensified long-range strikes inside Russian territory.
Russia Today
3 hours ago
- Russia Today
Ukrainian drones strike houses in western Russia (VIDEO)
Ukrainian kamikaze drones struck residential areas in Russia's western Kursk Region in the early hours of Saturday, injuring 10 people, including two children, Acting Governor Aleksandr Khinshteyn said. In the town of Rylsk, the UAVs hit two five-story apartment blocks, injuring seven people. A family with two children is among the victims, Khinshteyn noted, adding that some residents were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds. In the village of Artakovo, drones damaged two buildings and a garage. A family of three, who were inside the home during the attack, has also been admitted to the hospital, according to the governor. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Russia Today
5 hours ago
- Russia Today
Zelensky ‘playing games' instead of negotiating
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky doesn't want meaningful negotiations with Russia and only seeks to prolong the conflict, Russian deputy envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyansky has told RT. Russia proposed holding a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on June 2, but Ukraine has yet to formally commit to attending the event. 'They are making every effort to convince him that Russia isn't interested in peace,' Polyansky said in an interview on Friday. 'It is absolutely clear that Ukraine isn't interested in negotiations. They're simply playing games. For them, it's not a serious or meaningful negotiation.' 'Everything Kiev now does and says should be analyzed through [the lens] of Ukraine wanting to prolong the war,' the diplomat added. He suggested that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky is motivated by a desire to stay in power and avoid accountability. Zelensky's five-year presidential term formally expired in May 2024, but he has refused to call new elections, citing martial law. 'It is not in the interest of the Ukrainian president to engage in any meaningful peaceful efforts because they would lead to elections – something he fears the most,' Polyansky said. 'He would also be held accountable for the embezzlement of the state budget and Western aid… That's why he wants to avert this scenario any way he can.' Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he no longer considers Zelensky a legitimate leader and argued that his status could potentially undermine the peace process. US President Donald Trump previously branded Zelensky 'a dictator without elections,' but has since toned down his criticism. Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in three years in Istanbul on May 16, agreeing to carry out a large prisoner exchange and each present ceasefire terms. The Kremlin has denied accusations of stalling negotiations and said on Wednesday that it was finalizing a memorandum outlining Russia's vision of peace.
