Explosives with ‘devastating power’ found near pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia | World News

Explosives of “devastating power” have been found near a pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia, according to Serbia’s president.

Aleksandar Vucic said two backpacks with “large packages of explosives” had been left a few hundred metres from the Balkan Stream pipeline.

It’s an extension of the Turk Stream pipeline that carries gas from Russia under the Black Sea to Turkey.

Mr Vucic said millions could have been cut off if the explosives had detonated.

“I just had a talk with [Hungarian prime minister] Viktor Orban, and informed him that if the gas pipeline had been cut there, Hungary would not have had gas and we in northern Serbia would not have had gas,” he told reporters.

Mr Vucic warned anyone trying to destroy Serbia’s infrastructure would face a “merciless” response and “harsh and severe punishment”.

On Instagram, he said the explosives potentially had “devastating power”.

Mr Orban, who arranged an emergency defence council meeting for Sunday afternoon, said on X “the equipment needed to detonate it” had also been discovered.

The incident comes seven days before Hungarian voters decide whether to extend his 16 years in power.

His party is currently behind in the polls, although many people say they are still undecided on who to back.

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Mr Orban, who is seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in Europe, increased security around the country’s energy infrastructure in February and has framed the election as a choice between war or peace.

The Hungarian leader has often been a thorn in the side of other EU nations and last month blocked a €90bn loan to Ukraine.