Serbscy bojownicy na froncie w Donbasie w latach 2014–2019
Serbian Fighters on the Frontline in Donbass (2014–2019)

Summary/Abstract: The subject of research in this article is the phenomenon of foreign fighters participating in the Ukrainian-Russian armed conflict in the years 2014-2020. The author focused on the case of volunteers from Serbia, who are one of the most numerous national groups supporting pro-Russian separatists in Donbass. Their involvement in the conflict affects not only the security of Ukraine but also the (un)stability of the Western Balkans. The main purpose of this article is to clarify the essence and consequences of the participation of Serbian fighters in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. In the first part of the text, the definition framework for the concept of “foreign fighters” and its evolution towards “foreign terrorist fighters” has been discussed. Subsequently, a detailed analysis of the main problem was carried out, and the following research questions were answered: 1) What is the scale of the phenomenon of Serbian volunteers comparing them to foreign fighters from other countries? 2) What are their motivations goals, and what are their recruitment process and ways of moving into the war zone? 3) What threat returning fighters pose to the security of the Western Balkans and how individual countries counteract this phenomenon? The author mainly used qualitative research methods: historical analysis, comparative analysis, and critical analysis of literature, research papers, documents, reports, press materials. Based on the conducted research, it can be concluded that Serbian volunteers fighting in Donbass pose a potential threat to the security of the Western Balkans. Veterans returning to their places of origin may conduct subversive or terrorist activities on behalf of Russian intelligence, as in the case of Montenegro in 2016.

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