Russia utilizing Serbian agent to infiltrate EU our bodies: Western intelligence

Russia is utilizing Serbia as a launchpad for affect operations designed to weaken pro-EU and pro-NATO sentiment contained in the nation in addition to inside the European Union, which has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion two years in the past. Antić has used his position as head of Serbia’s army union to criticize Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and senior members of the nation’s armed forces.

“They took each alternative to advertise Russian propaganda referring to the warfare in Ukraine,” the briefing mentioned, referring to conferences in Serbia and EU international locations.

The information that Antić held conferences contained in the European Parliament underscores the physique’s vulnerability to state-backed affect operations. Earlier this month, POLITICO revealed adware was discovered on the cellphones of two lawmakers within the European Parliament, together with former French Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau, who chairs the physique’s protection subcommittee. 

Antić and his representatives didn’t reply to a request for remark from POLITICO.

Kalinin invited Antić to Russia to satisfy with senior Russian army officers between 2019 and 2020. Initially targeted on influencing Serbian civil society, the pair have since widened their focus to incorporate European commerce union and veterans’ organizations and, in current months, members of the European Parliament.

Antić, an outspoken critic of Serbia’s armed forces who has fallen afoul of the nation’s political management, is at present being detained on unspecified prices, in keeping with information web site Balkan Perception.

In keeping with Balkan Perception, Antić has been dismissed from Serbia’s army twice over the previous 5 years. He has, per the publication, gone on a starvation strike to protest his detention. A lawyer for Antić declined to specify on what prices he was being held.