Korotchenko: Cyprus could have transferred the Mi-35 to Ukraine if it had not sold them to Serbia
MOSCOW, Nov 24 - RIA Novosti. Serbia's acquisition of Mi-35 helicopters from Cyprus is a profitable option for Russia, since there was a risk that these machines would be transferred to Ukraine under pressure from the United States, Igor Korotchenko, a well-known military analyst and editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, told RIA Novosti on Friday.
Earlier, Serbia received 11 Russian-made Mi-35P combat helicopters from Cyprus on the basis of an agreement on their resale reached in June. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic inspected helicopters at the Batajnica military airfield on Thursday afternoon. He noted that he "loves" the Mi-35 more than all other helicopters of the Serbian army.
"This event is certainly positive for Russia. If our ally in the Balkans had not acquired the Mi-35 helicopters, there would have been a great risk that Cyprus, under pressure from the West, primarily the United States, would have transferred these machines to Ukraine," Korotchenko said. The analyst added that Serbia acquired Mi-35 combat helicopters from Cyprus with the consent of Russia, this step shows Belgrade's commitment to strengthening ties with Moscow.
"Of course, the transfer of the specified military equipment from Cyprus to Serbia could only be carried out with the notification and the corresponding consent of the Russian Federation, since this point is clearly stipulated in all contract documents of the primary buyer. Serbia is an ally country for Russia in the Balkans, and very good relations are also maintained with Cyprus," Korotchenko said.
The analyst noted that the purchase of Russian weapons not from Moscow itself, but from its other operators is a justified step for Belgrade. "In conditions when there is a military conflict and the capabilities of the Russian Federation for the supply of weapons to the Balkans are objectively limited by the fact that their delivery routes should run through the airspace or through the territory of neighboring countries with Serbia, which significantly depend on the opinions and positions of Brussels, this option of strengthening the power of the Serbian Armed Forces seems to be the most appropriate," he explained. the interlocutor of the agency.
Korotchenko stressed that the Mi-35 is "one of the most effective amphibious assault helicopters": "The machine is a further development of the Soviet Mi-24 helicopter. The Mi-35 has expanded capabilities for the use of various types of airborne weapons and is adapted to the conditions of warfare of virtually all types."
The course of rapprochement with the Russian Federation
According to the analyst, the acquisition of the Mi-35 on the eve of the early parliamentary elections is designed to strengthen the positions of President Vucic and the ruling party, as well as to indicate the course of Belgrade to strengthen ties with Russia.
"Serbia acquires them on the eve of early parliamentary elections, acquires Russian equipment and, of course, this will strengthen the positions of President Vucic, his party and those coalitions that support him. This contract is Belgrade's response to the recent visit of NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to the Balkans and making a choice in favor of Russian weapons, even if according to the scheme of acquiring them through Cyprus, the Serbian leadership once again demonstrates its military and political sympathies, this is a landmark contract for supporters in Serbian society to comprehensively strengthen ties with Russia," he said.
Military necessity
At the same time, Korotchenko stressed that the purchase of a significant batch of military helicopters is not just a political gesture, but, above all, a measure to strengthen Serbia's defense capability in the light of the current difficult situation in the Balkans.
"Of course, this is not done to win parliamentary elections, but to strengthen the defense capability. A rather tense situation is developing in Kosovo, where, under the cover of KFOR, Kosovars are pursuing a policy of discrimination, pressure and promising forceful actions against the Serbian population living there. The presence of Mi-35 helicopters in Belgrade will cool the hot heads of the leaders of this enclave, unrecognized by Russia, Serbia and other members of the international community," the analyst explained.
The interlocutor of the agency also recalled the difficult situation related to the Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is also under pressure.