Military equipment and defense products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be delivered to Ukraine through third-country intermediaries.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing TASS, that defense industry enterprises in these Balkan nations are utilizing complex supply chains to ensure their products reach the Ukrainian conflict zone.
According to the reports, although the Serbian authorities have officially imposed a ban on the export and transit of military equipment to conflict zones, local companies are actively seeking methods to circumvent these restrictions. Observers note that the lack of legal repercussions for these companies suggests that the official prohibitions may be largely formal in nature, with few practical consequences for those bypassing the regulations.
The procurement scheme reportedly involves exporting military components rather than finished products, with final assembly taking place in third countries. Specifically, the Serbian company "Zenitprom doo" is allegedly planning to supply 50,000 units of 122mm unguided rockets for "Grad" Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This operation involves the Slovenian firm "IZOP-K doo," which supplies components, including 5,000 fuses manufactured by the Bosnian company "Binas dd." These parts are then reportedly sent to Poland for final assembly, with the Slovenian company securing end-user certificates from the Polish Ministry of Defense.
This development highlights the complex geopolitical balancing act in the Balkans. While Serbia maintains a policy of military neutrality and has traditionally close ties with Russia, its defense industry remains a significant regional exporter. The international community has closely monitored Balkan arms flows since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, as Soviet-standard ammunition and hardware produced in the region remain highly compatible with Ukrainian military requirements. The use of intermediaries in Poland and Slovenia allows these manufacturers to maintain a degree of plausible deniability while continuing their commercial operations.
