Serbia denies arms shipments to Ukraine, launches probe with Russia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has denied claims that Serbia is supplying weapons to Ukraine, insisting that some of the information circulating on the issue is inaccurate.

Speaking on national broadcaster RTS, Vučić said that a joint working group with Russian officials has been established to verify the facts.

"Together with our Russian partners, we have formed a working group to determine the truth," Vučić said during the broadcast.

He acknowledged that while there is a legitimate contract involving the Czech Republic, it does not include re-export permissions.

"There is, for example, indeed a contract with the Czech Republic, but there is no authorisation for re-export," he noted.

Vučić also emphasised that Serbian arms production is primarily aimed at supplying the Serbian military: "We are also sending weapons for the needs of our own army."

Earlier, on May 29, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged that Serbian defence companies are covertly supplying ammunition to Ukraine via intermediary countries. According to a statement from SVR’s press office, these actions contradict Serbia's declared neutrality and amount to a betrayal of Russia.

"The Serbian defence industry is attempting to stab Russia in the back," the SVR claimed.

The agency further stated that the alleged arms transfers are being facilitated through "a simple scheme involving fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries."

SVR named several NATO member states — especially the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria— as key intermediaries in the transfers. It also alleged that in recent times, more unconventional routes have been used, including African nations.

By Tamilla Hasanova