Serbia-Russia Rift Grows as Moscow Accuses Belgrade of Arming Ukraine via Third Parties

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused Serbia of covertly supplying weapons to Ukraine through intermediary countries, a move that could upend traditionally close ties between Belgrade and Moscow.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to Bloomberg.

According to SVR, Serbian arms manufacturers have sent large quantities of ammunition, including shells for howitzers and rocket launchers, to Ukraine by routing them through countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, and even several African nations. The Russian agency alleged that fake end-user certificates were used to obscure the shipments’ final destination.

“The Serbian military industry is stabbing Russia in the back,” read the SVR’s statement, which pointed fingers at several mostly state-owned Serbian defense firms. The agency condemned the alleged deals as a betrayal, citing Moscow’s longstanding support for Serbia, particularly its refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence.

The unusually sharp criticism prompted a swift response from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who acknowledged the controversy during a national TV interview Thursday evening. Vučić stated that Serbia has taken measures to prevent the misuse of arms export licenses and confirmed he had discussed the matter directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent visit to Moscow.

“Serbian factories must function and provide for our people,” Vučić said. “I serve only Serbia’s interests.” Emphasizing his non-aligned foreign policy, Vučić added that he had also spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Although Serbia has condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has refrained from imposing sanctions on Moscow. Vučić was also one of the few European leaders to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade in May.

Still, Serbia's defense exports to Kyiv, reportedly totaling €800 million ($870 million) since 2022, according to earlier Financial Times reporting, have raised questions about Belgrade’s true neutrality. 

The unfolding dispute may force Serbia to clarify its stance in a global landscape increasingly divided by the Russian-Ukrainian war.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reaffirmed Serbia’s desire to join the European Union just days after attending a military parade in Moscow.