Serbian authorities have stated they cannot confirm Ukraine’s involvement in the attempted bombing of the TurkStream gas pipeline leading to Hungary. This was announced by the director of Serbia’s Military Security Agency (VBA), Đuro Jovanić, commenting on speculation that arose following the discovery of explosives.
On April 5, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić reported that security forces, using sniffer dogs, discovered two backpacks near the settlement of Velebit — just a few hundred metres from the pipeline — containing large packages of powerful explosives and detonators. According to Vučić, had the sabotage succeeded, northern Serbia and all of Hungary would have been left without gas. He promptly informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Hungary’s response was swift and forceful: Orbán convened an emergency session of the Defence Council, and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó raised the possibility of a “Ukrainian trail.” Budapest claimed that Ukraine had for years been trying to cut Europe off from Russian gas, and pledged to strengthen protection of the pipeline, including through military deployment.
Serbia, however, did not back this version of events. Military intelligence director Đuro Jovanić stressed that investigators have so far found no evidence pointing to Ukraine. According to him, the prime suspect is a migrant with military training, and preliminary indications suggest the explosives may have been manufactured in the United States. Serbian security services are continuing their investigation and examination of the scene.
President Vučić vowed that Serbia would deal “mercilessly” with anyone threatening its vital interests. The investigation is ongoing, and Serbian and Hungarian authorities have agreed to strengthen joint protection of critical gas infrastructure.
For now, official Belgrade is refraining from making direct accusations against any party, emphasising that the priority is the energy security of the region.