LINKS BETWEEN THE BALKAN FAR-RIGHT AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE

The links between the far-right in the Balkans and Russia are of concern, given the geopolitical situation in the Balkans and the exacerbation of pro-Russian narratives. [...] The outbreak of the war in Ukraine brought several questions, among them: will the geopolitical upheaval in Ukraine and in Europe spill over to the Balkans? Are the Western Balkans (WB) at risk of becoming a “second front”? Today, a year and a half into the war, the situation between Russia and the West can be defined as a combination of radicalized distrust and inertia: the war has lost its novel. [...] In online appearances, “Danube” has acknowledged serving in the Serbian Army and working for the police and has admitted participating in protests in Belgra- de in support of the Russian invasion.26 He also praised the training offered to volunteers in the Sudoplatov Battalion, which he said taught him more in one day than he learned in six months of military service in Serbia. [...] Also chevron “RUSOV” and the Russian imperial flag with the letter Z.” “In the photo, a comrade-in-arms of the International Movement “RUSOV”, a fighter of the Sudoplatov battalion with the call sign “Shum” in one of the dugouts on the line of contact. [...] Glory to Russian heroes from Wagner PMC! Evil Russians are with you, brothers, and soon we will be the majority in the Russian Federation! Together we will win and make Russia great again! In the photo, a comrade-in-arms of RUSOV, a fighter of the 112th company of the Sudoplatov battalion, a veteran of the Wagner - the call sign is Quiet.” 26 LINKS BETWEEN THE BALKAN FAR RIGHT AND THE WAR IN UKRAI.