Serbia and Russia are experiencing rare tensions over the war in nearby Ukraine, with the Serbian government on Tuesday issuing a formal request for Moscow to halt all attempts to recruit Serbs to fight in the Ukraine conflict.
Zero Hedge | VMSTALKSHOW
The controversy centers on the Wagner private military firm, which has reportedly expanded its recruitment efforts inside Serbia. The St. Petersburg-based mercenary firm reportedly has direct ties with President Putin, and has been accused of acting with impunity in Ukraine.
It's long been illegal in Serbia for any of its citizens to go off and fight in a foreign conflict, with Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic recently reiterating in light of the Ukraine war that "this will result in legal consequences."
"Why do you, from Wagner, call anyone from Serbia when you know that it is against our laws?" Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a TV broadcast, stressing Wagner must end its activities.
Vucic also called out the noticeable uptick in online and social media material being circulated by Wagner and Russian state media in the Serbian language.
As an example, this week Russia's RIA Novosti news agency published the below widely circulated video touting "Serbian volunteers" fighting alongside Russian forces...
Comments