Serbia takes delivery of 2 Russian fighter jets

BELGRADE, Serbia – Serbia’s air force has taken delivery of two Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, part of an arms purchase that could heighten tensions in the Balkans and increase Moscow’s influence in the region.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended the ceremony Tuesday at a military airport close to the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

Russia has handed over six secondhand MiGs for free and the two that flew on Tuesday have undergone an extensive overhaul. The repairs of all six jets will cost Serbia some 185 million euros ($213 million.)

Serbia, which claims military neutrality, is negotiating additional arms purchases from Russia, including attack and transport helicopters and air defence systems.

Serbia formally wants to join the European Union, but under political and propaganda pressure from Moscow has steadily slid toward the Kremlin.