Six cargo planes made covert delivery.
Serbia, an ally of Russia, received delivery of a sophisticated Chinese anti-aircraft system this past weekend amid Western concerns that an arms buildup in the Balkans at the time of war in Ukraine could threaten the fragile peace of the region.
Media and military experts said that six Chinese Air Force Y-20 transport planes landed at Belgrade’s civilian airport early Saturday, reportedly carrying HQ-25 surface to air missile systems for the Serbian military.
To make the arms delivery, the Chinese had to fly over at least two NATO member states, Turkey and Bulgaria. The move is seen as a demonstration of China’s growing global reach.
The United States had warned that the Serbian purchase of the Chinese missile system would jeopardize the nation’s proclaimed European Union membership goals.
Serbia is in the west-central Balkans that borders Hungary to the north, Romania and Bulgaria to the east, North Macedonia and Kosovo to the south, and Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovinian, and Montenegro to the west.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president to seek God’s wisdom as China provides support to Russia in the Ukrainian conflict.
- For discernment for NATO members as the invasion continues and circumstances develop.
- For Secretary Austin and U.S. military leaders in Europe as they assess the situation.
Sources: NPR, Fox News
