Serbia is accumulating Russian tanks near its border with Bulgaria

At an official ceremony 170km from Sofia, in the Serbian city of Nis, Russia handed over to Serbia a batch of T-72MS tanks and BRDM-2MS armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicles as part of military-technical assistance. The Interfax news agency reported this with reference to the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Alexander Fomin.

The handover ceremony took place in the city of Nis on the territory of the 3rd Mechanized Brigade of the Serbian Land Forces.

“The combat force of the Serbian Armed Forces was replenished with modernized T-72MS tanks and BRDM-2M armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicles made in Russia,” Fomin said during the event.

He added that the delivered equipment will strengthen the combat potential of the Serbian army, will contribute to the fulfillment of the tasks for the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The Deputy Minister noted that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation plans to further develop and strengthen bilateral relations by providing assistance in the modernization of the Serbian Armed Forces.

Earlier, it was reported that Russian-Serbian anti-terrorist exercises had begun in Serbia.

Joint Russian-Serbian anti-terrorist tactical exercises in Serbia lasted until May 25th. This was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense, quoted by TASS. “Special forces of both countries will take part in the exercise, which will last until May 25, 2021. In the course of the event it is planned to practice landing of parachute systems Arbalet, moving to the site of illegal armed formation, its blocking and destruction,” the message says. The ministry noted that demonstration performances and small arms shooting classes would also be held.

About 200 servicemen and 11 pieces of equipment from the special units of the Western Military District took part in the exercises on the Russian side. “During the opening ceremony of the exercise, the parties noted the importance of joint combat training activities for the development of co-operation between the special forces of the Serbian and Russian armed forces in the field of counter-terrorism,” the Russian military stressed.