The government held an emergency meeting to assess whether the incident was sabotage, a lone act, or tied to broader tensions affecting European energy infrastructure.

Vučić indicated there are traces regarding the origin of the explosives but could not disclose details.

The investigation into the explosive device is ongoing, relying on official statements from Vučić and Orban.

Hungary’s prime minister and foreign minister implied Ukraine could be behind an attempted sabotage of the Balkan Stream gas pipeline after explosives were found at a pump station near the Hungarian border in Serbia.

Orban convened an extraordinary defence council meeting amid the incident, signaling heightened security concerns during the election campaign.

He argued Europe faces an unprecedented energy crisis and warned that Europe will continue to rely on Russian energy, vowing that Hungary will defend its energy security and national interests.

Authorities have not disclosed suspects or motives and are continuing to investigate potential traces without releasing further details.

Serbian President Vučić praised the work of security services and noted traces of the threat, stressing that wide-area searches included helicopters, while withholding specifics about suspects or motives.

There remains uncertainty about perpetrators and the potential impact on energy security and cross-border infrastructure.

Officials say the episode underscores the vulnerability of critical European infrastructure and its possible implications for economic and political stability.

Opposition and independent analysts questioned the incident, suggesting it could be used as a political tool or pretext for fear-mongering or hardening security policies ahead of the vote.

Authorities mounted a visible security response with police, roadblocks, and helicopters, reflecting the seriousness of the threat to the pipeline.