Serbian officials have stated that a migrant was supposed to blow up the gas pipeline using explosives from the U.S.

The director of Serbia’s Military Security Agency, Đuro Jovanović, announced the identification and arrest of an individual who allegedly planned to blow up the “Turkish Stream” gas pipeline on Serbian territory. 

According to the official, as quoted by the Serbian publication RTS, the agency had been warning the country’s leadership for a long time about the possibility of such an attack, but was met with skepticism. The suspect turned out to be a man from a group of migrants who, according to intelligence reports, is fit for military service and intended to damage critical energy infrastructure.

According to Jovanic’s report to President Aleksandar Vucic, markings found on the explosives seized during the arrest indicate they were manufactured in the United States. 

The situation surrounding the gas pipeline has escalated amid reports of heightened security measures at energy facilities across Europe. While Serbian law enforcement continues its investigation, official Belgrade emphasizes the importance of protecting the pipelines that supply fuel to Hungary and Serbia. 

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó suggested a Ukrainian connection in the attempted sabotage of the gas pipeline supplying gas from Russia via Serbia. 

Serbian intelligence services and military units neutralized an alleged threat to blow up a critical infrastructure facility in the municipality of Kanjiža. 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced the convening of an emergency meeting of the Defense Council in connection with the attempted sabotage of a gas pipeline on the territory of neighboring Serbia. 

Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition party “Tisa,” stated that the alleged foiled sabotage of the gas pipeline in Serbia is a staged operation aimed at disrupting the parliamentary elections in Hungary.