Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić staged on Saturday (20 September) the largest parade in Serbia’s history, deploying 10,000 troops, 2,600 pieces of military equipment and a 300-metre Serbian flag. The display in Belgrade raised eyebrows in neighbouring countries and Brussels over the true intentions of the increasingly autocratic Serbian leader.
Vučić has recently raised tensions in the region, warning that the Balkans are being split into opposing military alliances and accusing neighbouring countries such as Croatia, Kosovo, Albania and Slovenia of aligning against Serbia.
Only five months ago, Vučić was among the few European politicians to attend the parade on Moscow’s Red Square, while two weeks ago he was in Beijing for the Tiananmen military parade. Now he has organised his own Balkan copy.
Tanks, jeeps and soldiers marched through the centre of the Serbian capital under the bright sun on 20 September. Overhead, Russian MiG-29 fighter jets flew alongside French Rafale aircraft. The large-scale parade drew criticism from the opposition and demonstrators, who accused Vučić of politicising the armed forces.
This comes amid a wave of student protests that began in Serbia in November 2024. Public discontent escalated after the collapse of a recently renovated concrete structure at Novi Sad railway station, which killed 16 people. Vučić described the demonstrations as a “colour revolution” orchestrated by foreign powers.
Vučić called the parade a “source of pride for Serbia”. Around 10,000 troops and 2,600 pieces of equipment took part.