Russian hybrid threats in Serbia

Abstract

The collapse of the post-Cold War bipolar world order has fundamentally altered the geopolitical and security landscape of the Western Balkans, especially for Serbia. Political instability, weak institutional structures, and ethnic divisions undermine internal cohesion and render the state vulnerable to external influence. Although not new, hybrid threats have become an increasingly prominent security challenge in the wake of the Russia–Ukraine War, notably in fragile states like Serbia. This study examines how Russia uses energy policy, media and information influence, and proxy relationships to polarise Serbian society and hinder Euro-Atlantic integration. It also analyses how Chinese economic and technological investments may generate geopolitical tensions. Furthermore, the study addresses the responses of the European Union and NATO, emphasising the importance of measures against disinformation and cyber threats. The analysis concludes that the EU and NATO require a coordinated security strategy to maintain regional stability and counter external influences.