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Explosives Discovered Near Serbian Pipeline Transporting Russian Gas to Hungary
Explosives and detonators were found near a key gas pipeline in Serbia that supplies Russian gas to Hungary, prompting an investigation. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban of the discovery. The incident occurs one week before Hungary's national elections on April 12.
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Explosives of significant power and detonators were discovered near a crucial pipeline in Serbia that transports Russian gas to Hungary. The devices were located outside the town of Kanjiza, close to the Serbia-Hungary border, on a section linked to the TurkStream system. This pipeline carries Russian gas through the Balkans to Central and Eastern Europe, including Turkey and Hungary.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed the find in a post on Instagram, stating, "Our units found an explosive of devastating power." Vucic personally informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban by telephone about the discovery and pledged to keep him updated on the investigation. Orban called an extraordinary defense council meeting on Sunday to discuss the incident.
An investigation into the explosives is underway, but no further details about the devices or images of the site have been released. Officials in Belgrade and Budapest did not respond to requests for comment on the incident. The discovery took place one week before Hungary's national elections scheduled for April 12.
Hungary's political landscape adds context to the timing. Prime Minister Orban, in power for over 16 years, leads the Fidesz party, which trails the opposition Tisza party in recent polls. Orban has associated Tisza leader Peter Magyar with Brussels and Ukraine, framing votes for Tisza as support for conflict.
Opposition figures have questioned the incident's authenticity. Tisza leader Peter Magyar stated that several people had publicly indicated something would "accidentally" happen at the Serbian gas pipeline around Easter, a week before the elections, and it did.
A former Hungarian intelligence official told Reuters of discussions in security circles about a potential "false-flag" operation targeting the pipeline to influence the Hungarian vote.
Russia expressed support for Hungary regarding the incident. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told TASS that Ukraine seeks to deprive Hungary of sovereignty by preventing access to Russian energy resources. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto referenced recent Ukrainian actions, including an oil blockade via the Druzhba pipeline and attempts at a total energy blockade, without directly accusing Ukraine of involvement in the explosives find.
