**Serbia Accused of Supplying Arms to Ukraine, Despite Denials**
A recent statement from the Russian foreign intelligence agency (SVR) has sparked controversy in the region. The SVR claims that Serbian defense enterprises have been secretly supplying ammunition to Ukraine, despite Belgrade’s stated neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The SVR’s accusations come as no surprise to some analysts, who point out that Serbia has long maintained friendly ties with Russia under its President Aleksandar Vucic. While the Serbian government has denied previous claims of arms supplies to Ukraine, the SVR’s statement suggests that these claims may be true. “The Serbian defense industry is trying to shoot Russia in the back,” the agency’s statement read.
**Serbia’s Balancing Act**
Belgrade has positioned itself as neutral in the conflict, striving to balance its position as an EU candidate with its long-standing relationship with Moscow. However, this balancing act has not gone unnoticed by Russian intelligence, which accuses Serbian companies of funneling arms to Ukraine via third-party intermediaries.
According to the SVR’s report, these intermediaries include NATO countries like Czechia, Poland, and Bulgaria, as well as African countries. The report claims that Serbia has supplied hundreds of thousands of shells for multiple-launch rocket systems and howitzers, as well as a million small arms rounds.
**Verifying Claims**
While the SVR’s accusations have sparked controversy, it is worth noting that these claims have not been independently verified by other news organizations. However, The Financial Times reported in June 2024 that Serbian ammunition worth $855 million has made its way indirectly to Ukraine.
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