Explosives discovered near the pipeline. Photo: Kurir
"Sabotage attempt" on gas pipeline in Serbia: no "Ukrainian connection" found
Serbian authorities say they found no proof of Ukrainian involvement in a suspected sabotage plot targeting a gas pipeline supplying Hungary.
Ukrainska Pravda
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Serbian authorities have found no evidence of a "Ukrainian connection" in an alleged attempt to sabotage a gas pipeline supplying Hungary.
Source: Serbian media outlet Kurir, citing Đuro Jovanić, Director of Serbia's Military Security Agency, as reported by European Pravda
Quote from Jovanić: "Disinformation suggests that the Serbian Armed Forces and their personnel are acting on behalf of some other or third party by finding Ukrainian explosives and blaming Ukraine. This is not true."
Details: Jovanić stressed that the origin of the explosives does not mean the manufacturer is also responsible for carrying out or ordering the attack.
He added that markings on the explosives indicate they were "manufactured in the US".
"Someone might say, does this mean the US is behind something like this at the moment?" Jovanić said rhetorically.
Background:
On 5 April, Serbia reported an attempted act of sabotage on the pipeline leading to Hungary. Large packages containing explosives and detonators were allegedly found nearby.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán subsequently convened a meeting of the Defence Council and ordered increased protection for Hungary's section of the TurkStream pipeline.
Notably, long before this, Hungary had reinforced the protection of its energy infrastructure, allegedly due to the "Ukrainian threat", and Serbia had deployed armed forces personnel to guard the infrastructure that ensures gas transit to Hungary.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó suggested that Ukraine could be linked to the alleged plot, while Kyiv strongly rejected the accusations and suggested a possible "Russian connection" as part of interference in Hungary's elections in favour of Orbán.
Orbán's main rival, Tisza opposition party leader Péter Magyar, believes the alleged foiled pipeline sabotage in Serbia was staged, potentially with the aim of disrupting Hungary's elections.
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