Serbia will investigate Russian allegations that it shipped arms to Ukraine

Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, said that Serbia and Russia would jointly investigate how Serbian-made ammunition ended up in Ukraine after Moscow accused Belgrade exporting weapons to the government of Kyiv.

The SVR (Russian foreign intelligence service) accused Belgrade of a "stab in the back", alleging that Serbia's defence producers were selling weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

The SVR stated in a Thursday statement on its website that "they (arms sales), have one clear goal - to kill or maim Russian military and civilian personnel."

The SVR stated that Serbia sent arms to Ukraine via NATO intermediaries including the Czech Republic and Poland, as well some African countries.

Serbia is able to maintain a balance between its historic ties with Russia, and those of the European Union. Belgrade condemned the Russian invasion in Ukraine but has refused to join Western sanction against Moscow.

Vucic said that he spoke with Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader when he visited Moscow in May 2009 and denied certain allegations made by SVR.

"We formed a group of experts, along with Russian partners, in order to establish the truth. He told RTS TV that some of the statements made were not true.

According to a classified Pentagon report, Serbia agreed in 2023 to supply arms Kyiv despite its professed neutrality. Moscow has criticized Belgrade on this issue several times.

The Serbian Defence Industry produces weapons and ammo with designs that are largely derived from the ex Soviet military technology of 1980s. These are similar to those in Ukraine and Russia.

"Our factories must work and live" Vucic stated that about 24,000 people directly work in the defence industry.

Gazprom, Gazprom NEFt and Gazprom are the majority owners of the only oil refinery in Serbia.

Belgrade, despite refusing to join Western sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine has condemned Moscow's policy at the United Nations, and expressed support for Ukraine territorial integrity including those territories that Russia holds. Vucic also met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy at least 3 times. (Reporting and Editing by Ros Russell)

(source: Reuters)