Serbia has launched an investigation into the attempted pipeline sabotage following the discovery of explosives near Kanjiža, as military intelligence suspects a migrant with training, intensifying tensions ahead of Hungary’s crucial election on Sunday.
Authorities in Belgrade are probing the attempted attack on the gas pipeline supplying Russia’s gas to Serbia and Hungary, as officials report the suspect is «a person from a group of migrants,» according to Đuro Jovanić, head of the military security agency VBA.
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The situation unfolded on the Balkan Stream pipeline, a continuation of the TurkStream line. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced Sunday morning that «two large packages of explosives with detonators» were found inside backpacks located in Kanjiža, northern Serbia, «a few hundred metres from the gas pipeline».
Vučić also revealed that he immediately informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who responded by holding a security meeting the same day.
Jovanić stated on Sunday that his agency had alerted the government previously about «a person from a group of migrants» with military experience planning to sabotage the pipeline.
He explained that Serbian intelligence had warned Belgrade «for months» about potential risks to the gas infrastructure, including plans that could cause damage or destruction, though these alerts faced «scepticism» from authorities.
The suspect «will be detained,» Jovanić confirmed, adding that the investigation into those responsible could extend over days or even months.
Jovanić also cautioned about an ongoing wave of disinformation concerning Ukraine circulating online, highlighting unfounded claims that Serbian army members might be «working for a third party by planting Ukrainian explosives and blaming Ukrainians for the sabotage.»
«This is false. The Serbian army does not engage in domestic political matters, much less those of other countries,» emphasized the head of Serbian military intelligence.
Meanwhile, Orbán hinted at Ukraine’s involvement without explicitly accusing them. Posting on X Sunday evening, he stated, «Ukraine has been trying for years to sever Europe’s access to Russian energy,» and noted that Hungary is enhancing security measures around the pipeline.
Kyiv quickly refuted the allegations outright, with foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi declaring on X that «Ukraine has nothing to do with this.»
In parallel, Moscow also blamed Ukraine, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling reporters Monday that Kyiv’s involvement in the sabotage attempt is «highly likely.»
Tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have escalated over recent months, with critical infrastructure targeted since Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine began early 2022, coinciding with Orbán’s significant election upcoming Sunday.
The Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, remains a point of contention between Hungary and Ukraine.
Kyiv reported that the Druzhba pipeline was damaged by a Russian drone strike in late January and has yet to be restored, but Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of politicizing the issue.
Kanjiža, a town with about 8,000 residents in Serbia’s northern Vojvodina province, has a majority ethnic Hungarian population.
During Europe’s migrant crisis in the mid-2010s, Kanjiža served as a major transit point on the Balkan route, with temporary camps established near the town that have since been dismantled.
At the same time, Orbán is engaged in a critical electoral campaign against his primary rival Peter Magyar ahead of Sunday’s vote, though he dismissed any connection between the Serbian pipeline plot and the election.
«It is recommended not to treat this as a campaign matter,» Orbán stressed Monday morning, noting, «I observe that it is not our side making this a campaign issue, but our opponents,» while emphasizing the critical stage the country has reached.
«Energy security is not a political campaign topic but a government responsibility, requiring calm, strategic management—not theatrics or spectacle, but a steady, sure hand,» Orbán stated in Kiskundorozsma, where he oversaw the intensified military protection ordered the previous day for Hungary’s portion of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.
Vance en camino
Strong backing for the current Hungarian prime minister had already come from across the Atlantic, with US President Donald Trump endorsing Orbán—an important European ally—at the end of March in a video message, calling him a «strong leader who fights for his country and his people».
«He is a genuine friend, fighter, and victor,» Trump said. «He has my full and unequivocal support.»
Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that he will arrive in Hungary on Tuesday to support Orbán, with plans to attend a major Fidesz rally. The two leaders are also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting.
This is not the first instance of a Trump administration official backing a European party or politician during an election campaign.
In February 2025, Vance met far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel during a visit to Munich, nine days before Germany’s election, but notably did not meet then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
During that visit, he lectured European leaders on the state of democracy and expressed concerns that there is no room for “firewalls”.
The meeting with Weidel followed strong pushback from senior German officials over Vance’s criticism of Europe’s democratic state, expressed during the Munich Security Conference, where he warned that free speech appeared to be “in retreat” across the continent.
«To many of us across the Atlantic, it increasingly seems like entrenched old interests hiding behind Soviet-era terms like misinformation and disinformation simply dislike the idea of individuals expressing alternative views or, worse, voting differently or winning elections,» Vance said.