Russia, in addition to conventional warfare in Ukraine, has intensified hybrid warfare in Western states, as stated in the Helsinki report titled “Russia’s Shadow War Against NATO”.
Among the categories of identified attacks by Russia are interventions in elections.
Here, too, there’s a clear trend by Aleksandar Vučić’s regime in Serbia to copy Russia, although these attempts leave much to be desired.
Elections – Serbian List’s Withdrawal from Kosovo Elections
Vučić was accused of massive electoral fraud in Serbia, but his regime also attempts to extend its influence abroad. In Kosovo, Vučić tries to do this through the Serbian List.
The Serbian List initiated the withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo’s institutions in the north, predominantly inhabited by the Serbian minority.
They, with their deputy, the main terrorist close to President Vučić, Milan Radojčić, boycotted local elections in the north, leading to Albanian mayors winning.
This also led to gatherings of Serbian groups led by this list, which then attacked KFOR soldiers.
The Serbian List has boycotted the Kosovo Parliament for over two years, only showing up to sign for their salaries and benefits. The paradox is they claim to boycott institutions in defense of Serbian citizens’ interests.
Russian influence in elections is also mentioned in the Helsinki Report, with examples including:
- In March 2024, the Czech Republic and Belgium uncovered a Russian propaganda network spread across Europe to influence European Parliament elections.
- In the USA, Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, revealed that threats of bomb attacks during election day had Russian origins.
In Kosovo, the Belgrade-controlled Serbian List has been accused by Serbs themselves and other Serbian minority politicians, like Nenad Rašić, of vote buying, intimidation, and even car burnings to prevent other Serbs from opposing them.
Serbia’s attempt to mimic Russia does not stop at violent attacks but is also notably evident in Violent Campaigns and Critical Infrastructure Attacks.
