Vucic: Attempt at a major and fierce hybrid attack on Serbia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described the events in Kosovo following the explosion near Zubin Potok, which damaged the Ibar-Lepenac canal, as an attempt at a major and fierce hybrid attack on Serbia. He emphasized that Serbia had no involvement in the explosion but that Belgrade suspects who ordered it and has some knowledge of who the perpetrator might be, which will be disclosed after the investigation is complete.

"We couldn't hear many facts from Pristina," stated the President of Serbia.

He recalled that on Friday, around 7 PM, a strong explosion occurred between Varage and Ugljare, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, near the location where the Ibar-Lepenac canal rests on pillars, under which a dirt road passes.

"Shortly afterward, members of the so-called Kosovo police arrived, and then in the early morning hours, a concentration of KFOR forces was observed near Zubin Potok. The location was visited by Xhelal Sveçla and Gazmend Hoxha. Then a session of the so-called National Security Council of self-proclaimed Kosovo was held, where they concluded that the explosion was a terrorist attack organized by Serbia and Russia. Measures were then adopted to deploy members of the KSF and Kosovo police to protect critical infrastructure," Vucic listed.

He emphasized that Belgrade is calm because it has no connection to the accusations made by Pristina.

"Before I continue, let me make it absolutely clear why we are so calm. We will not let them get away with this; we will insist on resolving it. They immediately accused Belgrade and Serbia in the first wave, not the Serbs, but explicitly Belgrade and Serbia. Belgrade and Serbia had no idea, nor would it ever occur to us. No one needs to worry; there is nothing they can show or prove because it doesn't exist. Belgrade is not involved, but we will see who is," Vucic underscored.

He stated that they constructed the narrative that the Civil Protection or Northern Brigade members must have done it and that Belgrade is to blame because it funds them.

"Such a construction, pathetic or sad, would be difficult for anyone to put together. And as a serious state, we have not dealt with accusations, and I will not say today that Kurti directly ordered it. We have certain suspicions, and the investigation will show who ordered it. We believe we have some knowledge of who the perpetrator might be," he underscored.

He said that Belgrade, in accordance with the Brussels Agreement, is open to full cooperation with EULEX and KFOR, and even with the Kosovo police. He added that under EULEX supervision, the Kosovo police unlawfully entered Serbian homes in Zubin Potok, which were suspected of being connected to the explosion, in violation of international law.

"You will now see that serious police forces don't act like this. This has nothing to do with a serious investigation; it is reckless raids on Serbian homes and hosts. They broke into the homes of Aleksandar Mihajlovic and Slobodan Vucinic. After they said yesterday that they wouldn’t reveal who they arrested, we will uncover everything—who they beat, who they arrested, and then released, except for one person," explained the President of Serbia.

He reported that Milos Vucinic and Aleksandar Mihajlovic were detained.

"Then they found out the man was at a pig slaughtering event; they even got photos. The man was making sausages. So they had to release him. It was a serious terrorist act against pigs in Zubin Potok. Then they arrested Igor Dimovic and Milos Vicentijevic. They were released. Then they detained Jovica and Dragisa Vicentijevic. They claim a significant amount of explosive materials was found there, and a truck was brought to transport the items. There were also those infamous uniforms from the photos," Vucic added.

Then, he said, Marko and Nikola Drnovsek were arrested.

"They found only a T-shirt with 'No Surrender' written on it. And that’s why people were arrested. In the village of Prevlaka, a hunting rifle was found in the home of a hunter. Imagine that. Then a patrol stopped a boat in which Lieutenant Colonel Goran Stojanovic was found. That’s the big drama. The man was fishing on the lake. He caught two fish, which were saved and not taken as evidence. The man was released. Then Sinisa Jaksic, known as Sica, and Nemanja Galjak came forward after being sought. By mistake, they raided the house of Mladen Dimovic, breaking his door and injuring him, only to realize they weren’t even looking for him," the President explained.

He added that Dusan Milanovic, a physiotherapist from Leposavic who works with Kosovo Online, was arrested for "malignant influence through (the Telegram channel) Corridor."

"Imagine, they arrested a journalist. He didn’t even do anything, didn’t spread anything on Telegram. He’s a wonderful man. Then Albin Kurti and Petrit Ajeti showed up, and so on. Then began the additional occupation and taking over of new spaces, gas stations, and harassment of Serbs everywhere. One thing is interesting—this is not how serious investigations are conducted; it was all a performance for the international public," Vucic pointed out.

He noted that on November 5, a competition for a power plant on Lake Gazivode was opened, with only four Serbs applying.

"Interestingly, on November 5, within the company operating in the so-called Kosovo system, a competition for 30 workers was opened at Lake Gazivode, to be assigned to three departments for dam maintenance, 14 plus one worker for infrastructure maintenance, and seven more workers," Vucic said.

He noted that four workers from Serbian ranks were employed, one of whom is the son of a KSF member.

"These so-called Serbian traitors are directly working against Serbia's interests. Interestingly, some of them were with Deputy Defense Minister Shemsi Syla at Lake Gazivode last weekend, guaranteeing the safety of the infrastructure," Vucic emphasized.

He pointed out that Serbs, probably mistakenly, believe all this is staged by Albanians, while some Serbs cooperating with Kurti participated in it.

Serbia cannot make such claims but can promise that the entire case will be investigated, the Serbian President stated.

He expressed gratitude to former U.S. envoy Richard Grenell and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for not jumping to conclusions, as well as to the ministries of France and Germany for their restraint.

"We also don’t jump to conclusions and demand an investigation. If any Serb is proven to have done something and is in central Serbia, they will be immediately arrested and prosecuted. I fear that will not be the case," Vucic admitted.

He added that documents from "Srbijavode" show that the idea of redirecting the Ibar River's flow has existed since 1985.

"We could redirect the Ibar, leaving them without Gazivode. And then there would be no lake anymore. I was always against that. I didn’t want to use nature for politics. We provided them with electricity. We won’t destroy it. Someone came up with a very stupid idea," he explained, adding that Serbia doesn’t need terrorism but just an administrative decision and two months of work, though he opposed such measures.

Kurti Requested KSF Deployment in the North Just Nine Minutes After the Explosion

Vucic listed five main objectives Pristina aimed to achieve, emphasizing that Albin Kurti requested the KSF to be stationed in northern Kosovo just nine minutes after being informed about the explosion at the canal.

"Only nine minutes after being notified, Kurti officially requested KFOR and NATO to station the so-called KSF in northern Kosovo. I ask NATO and KFOR—am I telling the truth or fabricating?," the Serbian President asked.

That was, he said, the first goal.

"You’ll see whether they will admit it or stay silent because I am speaking the truth," Vucic concluded.

The Second Goal – Halting Serbia’s European Path and Economic Weakening

He reminded that the decision on opening clusters in Serbia’s EU integration process will be made on Wednesday.

“Everyone knows that Serbia is progressing the fastest in everything, especially in the economy, and that it is incomparable to talk about Serbia and anyone else, with all due respect to others. That’s why it was important to stop Serbia from being part of the whole ‘normal’ story with Paris, Berlin, Rome, and Brussels. That’s why it was necessary to launch the same kind of campaign and hysteria as a year ago,” Vucic explained.

He added that on Wednesday it will become clear whether the EU fell for the events in Pristina. He also noted that he knows Americans and Europeans, even though they won’t say it publicly, are aware that Belgrade has nothing to do with the explosion in Zubin Potok.

“The second goal is halting Serbia’s European path and economically weakening the country,” Vucic emphasized.

Kurti Wants to Declare the Serb List a Terrorist Organization

As the third reason for such actions by Pristina, he reminded that December 12 is the deadline for submitting electoral lists for the February 9 elections in Kosovo.

“This is why it’s necessary to declare the Serb List a terrorist organization, to prevent it from participating because Kurti will not have a majority without Serbian collaborators he wants to insert to help him in this matter,” Vucic stated.

He added that this also involves electoral engineering, as Kurti’s approval rating is dropping, and he needs to create a “miracle” in the north to ostensibly defend Kosovo’s independence from the “evil Serbs.”

The Goal Remains Breaking and Intimidating the Serbian Community

As the fifth reason, Vucic stated that the ongoing efforts are aimed at further breaking and intimidating the Serbian community, raiding homes, and making living conditions unbearable, which under international acts could be classified as genocide.

“They knew all this, but it was just a lot of noise with no results. And how could there be results when everything is happening just a few kilometers from the Brnjak administrative crossing, where they have full control? Their cameras, along with American ones, monitor all alternative routes. They control all other crossings. So, where did these people pass through? If they are in Kosovo—why didn’t you arrest them? Or are they perhaps in another part of Kosovo?” Vucic asked.

He noted that Belgrade is conducting its own investigation, the results of which will be shared with the public, adding briefly that certain individuals have already been connected due to suspicions of involvement and that specific information has been collected.

“Our greatest interest is to uncover the truth; nothing is more important,” Vucic emphasized.

Vucic expressed regret over Josep Borrell’s statement, believing it was made under the pressure of the head of the EU office in Pristina, Aivo Orav.

He stated his belief that Serbian military explosives, seized during previous Kosovo police raids, may have been used in the explosion.

“I don’t have proof yet, but just think about who could have used it,” the Serbian president said.

Agreement with Michael Roth’s Statement

When asked about German politician Michael Roth’s statement that if Serbia is proven guilty, the EU should stop accession talks with Belgrade, Vucic surprisingly agreed.

“This time, I agree with Roth. Completely. If it’s proven that Belgrade is guilty, stop our European path. I know that half of Serbia is hoping Belgrade is guilty, but that won’t happen,” Vucic stated.

He added that he accepts German expertise to determine whether Belgrade is guilty.

Vucic reiterated his support for the Serbian people in Kosovo and promised there would be no delays in payments.

“They should know, they caused us problems regarding the adoption of the Kosovo legislative package, especially regarding the aid and support people are expecting. There will be no delays, and people in Kosovo should know this. For 5,000 people, 20,000 dinars each—there’s no need to worry,” Vucic stated.

He concluded by pointing out that much stronger and smarter forces had failed to expel Serbs from Kosovo.

“Now they are being persecuted not only by Kurti but also by all those who support him, including the most developed parts of the world. But Serbs are a peculiar fruit. They have endured before, they will endure this, and Serbia will prevail,” Vucic concluded.