Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Serbian defense companies of using fake documents and third parties to secretly transport artillery shells, missiles and small-scale bullets to Ukraine.
The SVR made the accusation in a statement posted on its website titled "The Serbian defense industry is stabbing behind Russia".
"According to the information received by the SVR, Serbian defense companies continue to supply ammunition to Ukraine, violating the neutrality that Belgrade declared," the SVR said.
The SVR said Serbian companies used "fake end-user certificates" to move weapons through Poland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and other NATO countries, as well as unidentified African countries. According to the SVR, these weapons later appeared in Ukraine.
The SVR said 100,000 rockets and artillery shells, along with 1 million small bullets, were delivered in this way. Serbia's major arms producers, including state-owned Yugo import-SDPR, have been accused of being complicit in the plot.
"It seems that the desire of Serbian defense companies and their backers to profit from the conflict between the brotherly Slav countries has caused them to forget who their true friends are - and who their friends are," the SVR said.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he discussed ammunition exports during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May. "We have established a working group with our Russian partners to verify the truth," Vucic said.
Commenting on the statements of the SVR, President Vucic affirmed that "some of the statements made are untrue".
"For example, they claim to have a contract with the Czech Republic. However, no licenses have been granted and no missiles have been transferred," he said.
I will certainly issue an order and warn that if there is any suspicion of abuse of the so-called end-use policy the sending of ammunition to war zone we must be informed immediately.
President Vucic stressed that Serbia maintains good relations with both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia and Serbia have had a close historical and cultural relationship since the 19th century. President Vucic said he opposed Western efforts to force Belgrade to impose sanctions on Moscow and put his country in confrontation.
