Kosovo Security Force Arms Acquisition Used for Serbian Propaganda Efforts

Serbian President Accuses Kosovo of Illegal Military Buildup Amid Regional Tensions

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has claimed that Kosovo’s Security Force is being armed in violation of international law following an extraordinary meeting of Serbia’s National Security Council held on January 4, 2026. Vučić characterized the emerging Croatia-Albania-Kosovo alliance as a direct threat to Serbia’s national security and interests, stating that his country is already preparing defensive measures.

Security analysts and disinformation experts, however, describe these allegations as part of a coordinated Serbian propaganda campaign. Gurakuç Kuçi, a researcher at the “Octopus” institute, told KosovaPress that Vučić’s statements represent a deliberate “psycho-propaganda strategy” designed to create tension.

“Vučić knows very well that Kosovo is strengthening its military within the NATO framework,” Kuçi explained. “There have been explicit statements from NATO and the United States confirming that Kosovo’s armament complies with international rules and standards, with full transformation into an operational army planned for 2028.”

The researcher emphasized that Kosovo’s institutions must develop a counter-strategy against Serbia’s strategic communications efforts, particularly on social media platforms where public opinion is being actively manipulated. Kuçi pointed to “unidentified or ownerless media outlets” that are advancing Serbian interests through coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting Kosovars.

“We have observed extremely high levels of shares, likes, and comments that are dividing the public and advancing Serbia’s interests against Kosovo,” he added, highlighting the sophisticated nature of these influence operations.

Festim Rizanaj, a researcher at Hibrid Info, warned that Vučić’s rhetoric has contributed to dangerous narratives creating panic specifically among Kosovo’s Serbian community. The allegations that Kosovo is arming itself to attack Serbia have been amplified through Serbian media channels, fostering a narrative of victimization that may have real security implications.

“These are dangerous because they create panic, primarily among the Serbian community in Kosovo, as they mainly receive information from media in Serbia and do not use credible media in Kosovo,” Rizanaj said. He urged citizens to verify information through multiple credible sources, particularly on security-related topics.

Kosovo’s Ministry of Defense has firmly rejected Vučić’s allegations. Ministry spokesperson Liridona Gashi described the Serbian president’s statements as “untrue and tendentious,” emphasizing that the development of the Kosovo Security Force is purely defensive in nature.

“The Kosovo Security Force is developing its capacities for defensive purposes, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and NATO standards, and in full coordination with our international partners,” Gashi stated. “The KSF is not and will not be oriented toward threatening or attacking any state.”

Gashi pointed to Kosovo’s transparent military procurement processes conducted exclusively with NATO member states, contrasting this approach with Serbia’s defense acquisition strategies.

At the heart of the dispute is UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which Serbia claims is being violated by Kosovo’s military development. During the National Security Council meeting, Vučić specifically accused Western powers and Turkey of supporting Kosovo’s military transformation in contravention of this resolution.

“Resolution 1244 has been suspended de facto, even if not de jure; de facto it has been suspended by major Western powers and by some regional actors such as Turkey,” Vučić declared. He expressed particular concern about what he described as “the newly created alliance or coalition of Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb,” alleging joint production of combat systems ranging from vehicles to more advanced weaponry.

Kosovo authorities maintain that Resolution 1244 does not prohibit the establishment or development of its security force. They insist that all military development is being conducted in accordance with Kosovo’s constitution and in coordination with NATO and other international partners.

The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions in the Western Balkans, where regional security dynamics remain complex more than two decades after the conflicts of the 1990s. While Kosovo continues its integration with Western security structures, Serbia maintains its position that Kosovo remains legally part of its territory under international law, despite Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.

Analysts note that these recurring tensions reflect the unresolved nature of Kosovo-Serbia relations, which continue to impact regional stability despite years of EU-facilitated dialogue between the two parties.