Serbian leader declares halt to ammo ship-outs

(MENAFN) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Monday that Serbia will temporarily halt all ammunition exports to prioritize rebuilding its domestic military stockpiles. This decision follows Russian claims that Serbia has been secretly supplying arms to Ukraine.

After a meeting with the extended board of Serbia’s General Staff, Vucic told local media that the country has stopped all exports and is redirecting ammunition to its own armed forces. While Serbia plans to explore new markets for its military products, the president emphasized that export rules will become stricter, requiring special government approval for any shipments abroad.

He stated, “No longer will exports be approved easily by just two ministers. Future decisions will be made based on Serbia’s national interests.”

The announcement responds to accusations by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), which alleged that Serbian-made ammunition, particularly for heavy long-range weapons, was sent to NATO countries and then reassembled for Ukraine, despite Serbia’s official stance of neutrality and close ties with Russia.

In May, the SVR similarly claimed Serbian firms covertly supplied approximately 100,000 rocket launcher munitions and one million small arms rounds to Ukraine, using falsified documents and transshipment through multiple countries.

President Vucic denied any direct arms sales to Ukraine, citing Serbian law prohibiting arms sales to nations at war. He suggested third countries might be rerouting shipments and promised to strengthen enforcement to prevent violations of Serbia’s export regulations.

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