Serbia provided financial humanitarian assistance to the Russian Kursk region, affected by the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict, in the amount of 472 million rubles (5.03 million euros), for which Russia thanked it, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported, quoted by TASS, BTA reported.
„On October 8, the government of the Republic of Serbia provided financial humanitarian assistance in the amount of 472 million rubles. The Russian side expresses gratitude to friendly Serbia for its attention and responsiveness, and empathy for the fate of Russian citizens. "This carries a special symbolism, reflecting the centuries-old brotherhood and close ties between our countries and peoples," the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry added that the funds went to the Kursk Oblast Development Fund, which implements projects to support the most vulnerable segments of the region's population.
Ukrainian military units made a surprise incursion into the Kursk Oblast bordering Ukraine in August last year. They were eventually pushed back after months of fighting, with the Russian army supported by North Korean servicemen.
Serbia, a candidate country for EU membership, refuses to join Western sanctions against Russia imposed over its invasion of Ukraine, although it condemns Moscow's aggression. President Aleksandar Vucic said that imposing the sanctions does not meet Serbia's national interests.