Russian ex-spy and football official Pryadkin granted Serbian citizenship

Serbian authorities have granted citizenship to Sergey Pryadkin, a Russian football official and former intelligence officer, as reported by Radio Sl. This move, while low-profile, signals continued Russian influence operations in the Balkans, leveraging personal ties and institutional access. The decision's timing and rationale remain unclear, but it underscores Serbia's balancing act between EU integration and Russian alignment.