April 21, 2025

The New Serbians


The New Serbians
National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. Andrija12345678, Wikimedia Commons.

According to the independent outlet Vaznye Istory Russian business figures, arms‑industry executives, and Kremlin insiders have secured Serbian passports that grant them visa‑free travel across the European Union.

The paper has alleged that, from early 2022 through April 2025, Belgrade has approved more than 330 “citizenship for merit” decrees, and 204 went to Russians. The fast‑track naturalizations cite Article 19 of Serbia’s citizenship law, which waives residency and language requirements for persons who provide “services to the republic.” Recipients keep their original citizenship and are not required to live in Serbia.

Passports issued under Article 19 often reward athletes, artists, and investors. During Russia’s War on Ukraine, for example, iconographers who decorated Belgrade’s Church of St. Sava and mixed martial arts legend Fedor Emelianenko were all reportedly naturalized. Recent decrees, however, reach deeper into Russia’s political and military elite.

Viktor Shendrik, chair of the Moscow Boxing Federation’s supervisory board and a former officer in the FSB’s Vympel special‑forces unit, has also reportedly become a citizen. Shendrik sponsors a far-right division  fighting against Ukraine and is an associate of Umar Kremlev, who is linked to Alexey Rubezhny, head of President Vladimir Putin’s personal security detail.

Relatives and associates of the defense conglomerate KRET, Russia’s largest maker of electronic warfare gear, allegedly received passports as well. According to the report, Anastasia Kolesova — the daughter of former KRET chief and EU‑sanctioned ex‑governor Nikolai Kolesov — was naturalized along with her husband, Nikolai Urayev, and a relative, Nadezhda Urayeva. Kolesov now runs Russian Helicopters, while Urayev and Urayeva previously managed the Kazan plant Elekon, a key supplier of electrical connectors for missiles, aircraft, and submarines.

Further, Svetlana Kiyko, wife of Mikhail Kiyko, who heads drone developer Aeromax Group, allegedly gained Serbian citizenship, as did Andrei Shamshurin, vice president of the hardware manufacturer Aquarius, whose encrypted communications equipment are used by Russian security agencies.

Some new citizens are reportedly profiting directly from activity in occupied Ukrainian territory. For instance, Ivan Sibirev, former chief of Gennady Timchenko’s construction firm Stroytransneftegaz, co‑owns R‑Stroy, a builder reconstructing the occupied Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Severodonetsk. The EU sanctioned R‑Stroy in 2024.

Ilya Shumanov, corruption researcher and head of the NGO Arktida, said the wave of Russian naturalizations may reflect political bargains made between Belgrade and Moscow. Serbia risks slowing its EU accession bid, he said, but gains “levers from Moscow,” as it confronts anti‑government protests that have roiled the country since early 2024.

Those protests coincided with the largest burst of merit passports: In 2024, 86 of 137 passports went to Russians, more than 30 of whom are tied to the Kremlin or major state corporations. During the same period, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin — a close ally of Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev — made frequent trips to Moscow for meetings with the SVR, FSB, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. In March, Vulin publicly acknowledged Russian intelligence's help in quelling the demonstrations.

Serbia, like Russia, is historically a Slavic Orthodox country (indeed, Russia's close affiliation to Serbia was a significant spark that drew Europe into World War I). These deep roots show themselves in close diplomatic ties.

You Might Also Like

Finn-ancial Crisis?
  • April 14, 2025

Finn-ancial Crisis?

The Finnish parliament has passed a law forbidding Russians from owning real estate in the country.
Flying on Russian Fuel?
  • March 24, 2025

Flying on Russian Fuel?

State edia claims Latvian-state airline is purchasing fuel from Russia. The company denies it.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955