There are ongoing legal actions in Kosovo related to espionage, including the conviction of Aleksandar Vllajić and four additional indictments, underscoring active enforcement against insider networks.

Arben Fetoshi of the Octopus Institute says Belgrade’s higher BIA funding signals an intent to intensify hybrid activity targeting Kosovo, including leveraging espionage networks within Kosovo and in the north.

Kosovo authorities are urged to bolster security capacities, especially the KIA, and increase funding while improving cybersecurity and cross-border coordination with the EU and the US to counter hybrid threats.

Kosovo’s security institutions, led by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), have had notable successes in countering Serbia-linked threats, though the activity remains difficult to detect and counter, prompting Belgrade to intensify its hybrid warfare and budgetary efforts.

Serbia is planning a substantial 2026 budget increase for its Intelligence Agency (BIA), with an expected allocation around 89 million euros to boost technological capabilities and operational infrastructure.

The report calls for urgent cybersecurity measures and tighter coordination with international partners to disrupt and neutralize the Serbian espionage network.

The proposed budget rise in Serbia comes amid a rise in espionage arrests linked to Serbia in Kosovo over the past three years, signaling intensified hybrid activity in the region.