A dramatic accusation has been leveled against Serbian defense companies by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), claiming they are secretly shipping weapons to Ukraine. The SVR alleges that these companies are using false documentation and third parties to covertly transport artillery shells, rockets, and small arms ammunition, thereby undermining Serbia’s declared neutrality in the conflict. This accusation was made public in a statement on the SVR’s website, titled “The Serbian Defense Industry Is Trying to Shoot Russia in the Back.”
According to the SVR, Serbian defense firms have been supplying ammunition to Kiev, violating Belgrade’s neutrality stance. The agency claims that Serbian companies have utilized “fake end-user certificates” to route weapons through various countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and other NATO nations, as well as some African states. These arms have eventually surfaced in Ukraine, with the SVR estimating that 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, are allegedly involved in this scheme.
The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, has responded to these claims, stating that he had discussed ammunition exports with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow in May. Vucic has formed a working group with Russian partners to establish the facts and has maintained that some of the statements made by the SVR are not true. For instance, he denied the existence of a contract with the Czech Republic, citing that no permit has been issued and no missiles have been delivered. Vucic emphasized the importance of informing the authorities immediately if there is any suspicion of abuse of end-user policies, particularly when it comes to sending ammunition to warzones.
Vucic also underscored that Serbia maintains good relations with both Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the country’s historical and cultural ties with Russia dating back to the 19th century. Serbia has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow and has warned against further escalation, with Vucic resisting Western efforts to draw his country into a confrontation with Russia. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these accusations will impact Serbia’s relationships with Russia and Ukraine, and what measures will be taken to address the alleged secret arms shipments.
