President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia has announced a temporary halt to all ammunition exports, redirecting production to replenish domestic stockpiles. The decision follows Russian accusations that Belgrade has been secretly supplying arms to Ukraine, despite Serbia’s claim of neutrality in the conflict.
The move follows allegations from Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) that Serbian companies have been covertly sending munitions to Ukraine, despite Belgrade’s assertion of neutrality in the conflict and traditionally strong ties with Moscow. The SVR claimed that Serbian defense plants are sending ammunition to NATO countries in the interests of Ukraine, allowing Kiev to formally receive military products that are no longer Serbian but assembled at defense factories in Western countries.
Vucic made the remarks following a meeting of the extended board of Serbia’s General Staff. Speaking to local media, he said the country has ‘now stopped literally everything and [is] sending it to our army.’ The president emphasized that Serbia is seeking new markets for its military production, but will now require special approval for any shipments abroad. He also mentioned that he would not deprive some 150,000 Serbs – military plant workers and their families – of their livelihoods. However, Serbia will tighten its export rules, and any shipments abroad will now require special approval.
At the time of the initial accusation, Vucic denied the existence of any direct contracts with Kiev, noting that Serbian law prohibits arms sales to nations at war. He blamed third countries for possibly redirecting shipments to Ukraine and pledged to crack down on any attempts to circumvent Belgrade’s export restrictions.
The SVR made a similar accusation in late May, alleging that Serbian companies had covertly supplied around 100,000 munitions for multiple rocket launchers and one million small arms rounds to Ukraine. The ammunition was reportedly funneled through various countries and accompanied by falsified end-user certificates. Vucic’s decision to suspend exports comes as Russia continues to press its case, accusing Belgrade of undermining its strategic interests in the region.