Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Politico: Russia uses Serbian agent to infiltrate EU institutions, Western intel says

Russian intelligence has been using a Serbian “agent of influence” to spread pro-Kremlin narratives about its invasion of Ukraine within the European Union.
european parliament
Flags flying outside the European Parliament in Brussels. Credit: Eddie Mulholland
Politico: Russia uses Serbian agent to infiltrate EU institutions, Western intel says

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has been using a Serbian agent, Novica Antić, to infiltrate EU institutions and spread pro-Kremlin talking points about the invasion of Ukraine, Politico reported, citing a Western intelligence briefing.

According to Politico, Antić, the chair of the Serbian Military Trade Union, has held meetings with European officials, including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) such as German Greens lawmaker Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Italian Socialists & Democrats lawmaker Alessandra Moretti and Slovakian conservative EPP Group member Vladimír Bilčík. There is no indication that these MEPs were aware of Antić’s FSB links during their meetings, the outlet added.

Russia’s propaganda war: How Putin bought Germany

Antić also reportedly met with representatives of the EUROMIL and EPSU trade unions, which represent armed forces personnel and public services employees in the European Union, respectively. An EPSU official stated that their meeting with Antić was transparent and focused solely on trade union rights. EUROMIL President Emmanuel Jacob mentioned that the organization could temporarily suspend Serbia’s observer status pending clarification of any possible ties with Russian authorities.

“Old Guard” stands with Putin’s propaganda in France

The intelligence briefing highlights Antić’s close collaboration with FSB associate Vyacheslav Kalinin, editor-in-chief of Veteran News, a media website with ties to Russia’s security forces. The briefing also notes that Russia is using Serbia as a launchpad for influence operations aimed at weakening pro-EU and pro-NATO sentiment, with Antić using his position to criticize Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and senior members of the country’s armed forces.

Antić is currently being detained on unspecified charges, and he has been dismissed from Serbia’s military twice in the past five years, according to Balkan Insight.

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts