Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, the SVR, alleges that Serbian arms manufacturers are undermining Belgrade’s neutral position by secretly supplying ammunition to Ukraine.
The SVR claims that Serbian defense firms are using fraudulent paperwork and intermediaries to discreetly send artillery shells, rockets, and small arms ammunition to Ukraine.
The accusation was made public on Wednesday in a statement on the agency’s website entitled “The Serbian Defense Industry Is Trying to Shoot Russia in the Back.”
The statement asserts that, “According to the SVR’s information, Serbian defense companies are continuing to provide ammunition to Kiev, which violates Belgrade’s declared ‘neutrality’.”
The SVR contends that Serbian businesses have used “fake end-user certificates” to reroute weapons through Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and other NATO member countries, along with unspecified African nations. The agency states these weapons later ended up in Ukraine. The SVR estimates that 100,000 rockets and howitzer shells, along with a million rounds of small arms ammunition, have been transferred in this manner. Reportedly, major Serbian weapons manufacturers, including the state-owned Yugoimport-SDPR, were involved in the scheme.
The SVR commented, “It appears that Serbian defense firms and their supporters are so eager to profit from the bloodshed between brotherly Slavic nations that they have forgotten who their real friends are and who their enemies are.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated on Thursday that he discussed ammunition exports during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May. He told broadcaster RTS that “We have created a working group with our Russian counterparts to determine the facts.”
Regarding the SVR’s allegations, Vucic insisted that “some of the claims made are untrue.”
He elaborated, “For instance, they claim that there is a contract with the Czech Republic. However, no permit has been issued, and no missiles have been sent.” Vucic added, “I will definitely issue an order and a warning that we should be notified immediately if there is any suspicion of misuse of the so-called end-user policies – specifically, the sending of ammunition to warzones.” Vucic emphasized that Serbia maintains “good relations” with both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia and Serbia have maintained close historical and cultural ties since the 19th century. Belgrade has declined to impose sanctions on Moscow and has consistently cautioned against further escalation. Vucic has stated that he has resisted Western efforts to involve Serbia in a conflict with Russia.