Author: Dr. Gurakuç Kuçi – Professor at Universum College and External collaborator at ISLH “OCTOPUS”
The next step in consolidating Vucic’s power in Serbia was marked by Dmitry Peskov through a classic Maskirovka operation. The Kremlin spokesman stated that “Orbán has never been our friend… and Vucic is not one either,” adding that “we have historical relations, but they are an independent country.” Nevertheless, he emphasized the partnership between Russia and Serbia and their ability to discuss the most urgent issues.
The emphasis on partnership over urgent issues strips this statement of any genuinely diplomatic nature, turning it into an attempt to remove the label of “Russian vassal” from Vucic’s image in the eyes of international public opinion.
Distancing as the Anatomy of Deception
The regime in Belgrade knows that the key to its survival in the coming years is avoiding a frontal collision with Brussels and Washington. Peskov’s statement serves precisely this purpose by offering the West a useful narrative: “Look, Russia is distancing itself, Serbia is moving toward independence, so let us support Vučić in order to avoid destabilization.”
The Kremlin does not want to repeat the “Hungarian scenario.” The absence of open distancing from Orbán strengthened his opponents; Moscow is applying the opposite approach with Vučić in order to avoid the same fate. This cycle of “neutrality” has been a recurring methodology since 2014: whenever Western pressure increases, Russia issues a statement of “neutrality,” Vucic uses it to buy time, and under this “smokescreen,” the regime consolidates itself.
The Appointment of Andjic as Russia’s Man in the Artery of Serbia’s Military Industry
While Peskov speaks of “historical relations” and “independent countries,” the operational reality is moving in an entirely different direction. The appointment of Milos Andjic at the head of Jugoimport SDPR is another fact that destroys the narrative of distancing.
Jugoimport SDPR is not an ordinary company, but the main artery of Serbia’s arms trade and military technology sector. Placing a man closely linked to Aleksandar Vulin, who is sanctioned by the United States and connected to Russian services, in this position proves that military and intelligence coordination with Moscow is being strengthened, not weakened. This is the arming of key structures in order to make the regime immune to political change.
The Three-Pillar Strategy and the Armoring of Power
Vučić is applying a survival strategy based on three pillars:
- China for capital and investment;
- Russia for security and intelligence;
- The West for legitimacy, through Maskirovka methods.
For the regime, it no longer matters who holds the office, but who pulls the strings. The structure has been armored; everything else is merely theater. Public distancing is a tool to extinguish any Western reaction. If the West falls prey to this deception, Serbia will remain a “Black Box” where Russia and China have access, while Brussels finances the stability of this system.
These issues must always be examined carefully; under no circumstances should one fall prey to Maskirovka operations.
© 2026 Argumentum
