Security Service (FSB) back at the center of public debate. The document serves as the government’s primary defense to deny allegations that Serbian security forces deployed an acoustic crowd-control weapon, widely known as a “sonic cannon,” against peaceful demonstrators during a massive anti-government rally on March 15, 2025, in Belgrade.
During a public address on June 21, 2026, Vučić explicitly thanked the Russian FSB for conducting the technical evaluation, fiercely defending its legitimacy against domestic and international critics.
“Do you think that Aleksandar Bortnikov would sign off on something that is a lie?” Vučić stated, pointing directly to the authority of the FSB Director.
The Incident and Divergent Narratives
The dispute stems from the “15th for 15” rally, the largest demonstration in decades, which was triggered by widespread outrage over the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people.
During a planned 15-minute silent vigil honoring the victims, a sudden, terrifying noise sent portions of the estimated crowd of hundreds of thousands into a panic, causing a stampede and injuring numerous attendees.
THE MARCH 15, 2025 COGNITIVE DIVIDE
OFFICIAL & FSB NARRATIVE CITIZENS & ACTIVISTS
───────────────────────────── ─────────────────────────────
• Staged simulation by • Sudden, terrifying "whoosh"
protesters/students. or "jet engine" noise heard.
• Animal testing shows no • Over 3,000 eyewitness testimonies
acoustic weapon signature. reporting ear pain and dizziness.
• BIA-published report completely • Visual documentation of an LRAD
exonerates Serbian police. device mounted on police vehicles.
Controversies Surrounding the FSB Report
Following intense pressure from the European Commission, the United Nations, and the European Court of Human Rights—all of which urged a transparent investigation—Belgrade invited its strategic ally, Moscow, to conduct a technical analysis.
The resulting report, published on the website of Serbia’s Security Intelligence Agency (BIA), concluded that no sonic weapons were fired. However, the findings immediately sparked backlash due to unusual methodologies and transparency issues:
- Unsigned Documents: The official report was published without formal signatures, raising concerns over administrative accountability.
- Animal Testing: The FSB research involved testing acoustic equipment on animals, including dogs, drawing sharp condemnation from both local and international human rights organizations.
- Counter-Investigations: The Higher Public Prosecution Office in Belgrade has shifted focus toward claims that the entire acoustic disruption was a pre-planned fabrication orchestrated by the student movement, Students in Blockade, to discredit the government. Activists have slammed this legal pivot as a coordinated smear campaign to deflect responsibility.
Deepening Geopolitical Alignments
Despite official denials, civil society groups have collected over 3,000 detailed accounts from citizens describing symptoms aligned with acoustic weapon exposure, including severe headaches, vertigo, and acoustic trauma. Although the California-based manufacturer Genasys noted that initial public audio did not definitively confirm a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) deployment, photos verifying the presence of an LRAD 450XL on police vehicles forced officials to admit ownership of the tech, though they maintain it was used strictly for standard acoustic warnings.
Ultimately, Vučić’s total reliance on the FSB assessment highlights the deep geopolitical reality defining Belgrade’s domestic security policies. Rather than acting as an impartial international investigator, Russia continues to serve as an indispensable institutional shield, preserving the state’s official narrative against immense Western and domestic scrutiny.
