Serbia is accused by Kosovo of carrying out a "terrorist attack" similar to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The Serbian government has been accused by the Kosovo government of destroying a vital pipeline that supplies water and electricity to the Serb population in the north of Kosovo. Additionally, some in Kosovo speculate that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have been involved in the incident.

According to Ivana Stradner, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Serbia plays a crucial role in Putin's plan to create chaos in the Balkans, which gives him leverage over Western powers who are trying to prevent the conflict from escalating further.

The Balkans have a strong historical, cultural, and religious connection to Russia, and sympathetic narratives often come from the Serbian Orthodox Church. Stradner argues that Putin takes advantage of these religious and ethnic divisions in the Balkans, pushing the region towards war. Additionally, she notes that the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic benefits from chaos in the Balkans, using it to consolidate his power.

Stradner stated that Vucic has utilized a tactic of intensifying and reducing crises in Kosovo to depict himself as a stabilizing force, capitalizing on his role as a bargaining tool with the West.

Some experts are wary of making accusations and providing information during crises in the Balkans due to the fluid nature of the situation.

Serious allegations, including Kosovo's claim that the Serbian government orchestrated these events and suspicions of Russian involvement, have been made in the latest escalation, according to Helena Ivanov, an associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Ivanov cautioned that prior rounds of intensification and accusations lacked tangible proof, and that numerous assertions remain speculative until a thorough examination is carried out.

At a news conference, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that the attack on critical infrastructure was akin to Russia's targeting of energy infrastructure in Ukraine. However, no evidence has been found to implicate Russia in the incident.

Serbia and President Vucic were accused by Kurti of plotting a terrorist attack on the water supply canal in Zubin Potok, as stated by Kosovo.

According to Ilir Dugolli, Kosovo's ambassador to the U.S., all evidence indicates that the Vučić regime is continuing its strategy of aggression by exploiting various resources, including ties with organized crime, to inflict harm and instability within Kosovo.

The ambassador added that this is just the latest act of aggression by Serbia in a long list of such actions.

The blast was executed in a highly sophisticated manner, with approximately 20 kilos of explosives used, according to Ambassador Dugolli.

President Vucic adamantly denied the accusations, calling them "baseless."

Serbia's president, Vucic, stated on Instagram that the accusations against Serbia are aimed at damaging its international standing and destabilizing the Balkans region. He also demanded a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into what he referred to as an act of sabotage.

Marko Djuric, Serbian Foreign Minister, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the sabotage in Kosovo's north poses a grave danger to peace and stability. He emphasized Vucic's call for a comprehensive investigation under international supervision.

Djuric echoed Vucic's assertions that the purpose of the operation was to tarnish Serbia's reputation.

Djuric stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that there is evidence to suggest that this attack was a hybrid assault aimed at discrediting Serbia, and as a result, it is crucial for us to quickly identify the perpetrators and those responsible for orchestrating the attack.

Kurti was suspected by Djuric as being behind the attack, but no evidence was provided to support this claim. However, Djuric emphasized that Serbia was prepared to contribute to the investigation.

The Kosovo Interior Minister, Xhelal Svecla, announced that eight suspects linked to the attack have been arrested and the damage to the canal has been repaired. Additionally, Svecla stated that Kosovo police conducted raids on 10 locations and seized uniforms, heavy weaponry, and other military equipment.

In Brussels, Kaja Kallas, the European Union's new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, met with Kurti and Vucic. Kallas stated on X that the only path to EU membership for both parties is through the normalization of their relations.

Both Serbia and Kosovo aspire to join the EU, but resolving their conflict is crucial for their membership. If they fail to fulfill their obligations or escalate tensions, it will negatively impact their EU accession processes and hinder any potential financial aid. The ongoing conflict and recent unrest continue to hinder their EU membership.

The unresolved conflict between Serbia and Kosovo following the 1999 war is a hindrance to their normalization process. Kosovo was once a province of Serbia and was part of the Yugoslavia nation. In 1999, NATO led a bombing campaign against Yugoslavia, which included Serbia and Montenegro, to protect Kosovo's ethnic Albanians from violence from Belgrade. Despite nearly a decade having passed, in 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, with its historic patron, Russia, refusing to recognize its sovereignty.

In the north of Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs dominate the region, tensions are high due to their refusal to acknowledge Kosovo's sovereignty and their continued loyalty to Belgrade as their capital.