Air Serbia flight carrying pro-Russian politicians to Moscow turns back over Lithuania

An Air Serbia flight carrying pro-Russian politicians from Belgrade to Moscow made an emergency return over Lithuania, Newsmax Balkans reported on November 4. The plane was transporting Aleksandar Vulin, leader of the Movement of Socialists; Nenad Popovic, head of the Serbian People's Party; and Dusan Bajatovic, director of state-owned gas company Srbijagas.

Vulin had stated they were en route to Russia for discussions on a gas agreement. The decision to divert the aircraft to Serbia occurred while it was flying over Lithuania, according to Air Serbia. The airline cited the need for additional security checks on one of the passengers, later identified as Vulin. Vulin insisted he had completed the required security checks at the airport and denied allegations of carrying a large sum of cash and gold.

Vulin maintained his journey was for business purposes, aiming to advocate for the extension of Serbia's gas agreement with Russia. In 2023, the United States imposed sanctions on Vulin for allegedly using his official position to support Russia, leading to his resignation from his role and a brief stint as a senator in Republika Srpska.

Following extensive protests in late 2024, accusing authorities of corruption, incumbent leader Aleksandar Vucic resigned as either president or prime minister to contest the parliamentary elections as a candidate for the United Serbia party. Polls projected the Student List to secure 52.9% of the vote, while United Serbia trailed with 38.8%.

Vucic conceded defeat in the elections, with the Student List projected to win between 135 and 140 seats, and United Serbia garnering 105.