Serbia’s security chief challenged claims linking Ukraine to explosives near a gas pipeline, calling them false. Investigations continue as officials gather forensic evidence.
The Director of Serbia’s Military Security Agency, Đuro Jovanović, rejected the allegations of Ukraine’s involvement in the explosive device found near a gas pipeline that supplies Russian gas to Hungary. According to him, the claim that Ukrainians organized this sabotage is false.
“It is not true that Ukrainians tried to organize this sabotage”
– Đuro Jovanović
“Based on the markings on the explosive device, it is unambiguously clear that the manufacturer is from the United States, – said Jovanović. – Does anyone suppose that the United States would benefit from this situation?”
– Đuro Jovanović
Jovanović also noted that the analysis of the collected evidence is ongoing, and new information will be provided later. The agency has repeatedly warned Serbia’s political leadership about a possible attack on gas infrastructure, but has faced criticism and skepticism.
Context of the reaction and subsequent actions
Following an emergency meeting of the Hungarian Defense Council, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán did not directly accuse Ukraine, but stressed that Kyiv has for years tried to cut Europe off from Russian energy.
“The situation is extremely serious; Hungary’s gas supply is not currently under threat, but we must be very careful.”
– Viktor Orbán
Orbán also confirmed increased military protection of the Turkish Stream pipeline segment in the Hungarian direction.
“Yesterday they tried to blow up the pipeline. We are checking that everything is okay on the Hungarian side.”
– Viktor Orbán
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on April 6 said that there are currently no evidence as to who could be behind the attempted attack, but hinted at possible involvement by Ukraine.
“At present, there is no evidence as to who may be behind the attempt to attack the pipeline, but he hinted that Ukraine could be responsible.”
– Dmitry Peskov
On the eve of it, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rejected statements about Kyiv’s possible involvement in the incident with the explosive device, stressing that Ukraine has no relation to it. Most likely, this is a Russian operation under a foreign flag as part of Moscow’s active interference in Hungary’s elections.
“We categorically reject attempts to baselessly link Ukraine to the incident with the explosive device found near the Turkish Stream pipeline in Serbia. Ukraine has no relation to this. Most likely, this is a Russian operation under a foreign flag as part of Moscow’s active interference in Hungary’s elections”
– Georgiy Tikhiy
Ultimately, tensions between Kyiv and Budapest were observed, along with a decline in cooperative loyalty in the region’s energy sector. At the same time, upcoming Hungarian elections underscore the sensitivity of energy issues for Europe and regional security.