Russia recruits Serbs to attempt to reinforce military forces in Ukraine

In early September, Branko made a direct flight from Belgrade to Moscow.

After spending a few days in the Russian capital, Branko and three other Serbs had been sent to the military recruiting centre in Krasnogorsk, towns on the outskirts of Moscow, where the group had signed contracts with the Russian Army.

Everything got very fast; one day I became a soldier of Russia... I am now waiting to be sent to Ukraine”, Branko said in a conversation on the telegram, seeking anonymity in order to speak freely.

Branko, who is not his real name, was part of Moscow's recent efforts to recruit Serbs who would fight for Russia in Ukraine, where the Kremlin seeks to complete its forces, which have weakened for 18 months of fighting.

Based on the two accounts of two Serb fighters who have travelled to Russia, as well as lists of conscripts running, The Guardian has found Russian officials have planned to recruit hundreds of Serbs to strengthen the army.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has compiled a series of laws to lure foreigners into joining its ranks. Vladimir Putin at a security-level meeting after his troops began the invasion of Ukraine, had said the Kremlin should help people from abroad who are planning to fight on the side of Russia.

Feelings for Russia are high among the ultranationalist Serb groups, which have organised a significant number of pro Moscow gatherings since the start of the war in Ukraine.

While the number of conscripted Serbs does not appear to have been enough to distinguish in the battlefield, Moscow's actions jeopardise its relationship with Serbia, one of its few allies in the West.

The leader of a Serbian recruiting scheme -- a plan that appears to have been devised during the summer -- was Davor Savic, who had spent years fighting for Russia since the surprise attack on Ukraine in 2014.

Savic has also been linked to Wagner's paramilitary group. Medium Fontanka had reported that he had previously fought in Syria with Wagner. Two sources close to the paramilitary group have confirmed his initial involvement.

Another Serb who has been seen by his side is Dean Beryq, who had said the largest number of foreign volunteers to be recruited to the Russian Army are from Serbia. /Kankosova/