Radomir Kurtic, a representative of the Serbian state-owned defense company Jugoimport SDPR, one of the largest arms and military technology traders in the region, died in the Russian capital under unclear circumstances. The death was only recently made public, although the incident occurred on November 17.
According to Serbian media reports, Kurtic’s body was found on a street in Moscow. The official cause of death has not yet been determined: the Russian authorities have not provided the Serbian side with the results of the forensic examination or any official information. The Serbian Security Service (BIA) and military intelligence have prepared a report for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, in which the death is classified as suspicious.
The fact that, after the incident, representatives of Jugoimport SDPR visited the company’s office in Moscow and discovered that a significant number of documents and computer hard drives were missing further reinforces these suspicions.
At a meeting with representatives of the special services and the company, President Vučić emphasized that there is currently no compelling evidence to support the accusations and demanded full information from his Russian colleagues.
Kurtic’s death occurred amid tensions in Russian-Serbian relations over Serbian ammunition supplies to Ukraine through intermediaries. In May 2025, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Serbian defense companies, including Jugoimport SDPR, of supplying shells and ammunition to Kyiv, despite Belgrade’s official neutrality. Serbia denies direct supplies but acknowledges exports to third countries.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is ongoing. The Serbian side is awaiting an official report from the Russian authorities.