Now on bbc news Blood Brothers the pro russian serbians. After russias invasion of ukraine, countries around the world were forced to take sides. But for one country, the choice has not been straightforward. Unlike most european countries, serbia has resisted imposing sanctions on russia. A fringe Hard Line Ultranationalist Group is pushing for closer links with an old ally. Believing the country is at a tipping point, they turn on serbias president. I was shocked to watch as the war in ukraine reopened old wounds from our own balkan wars. And now serbias nationalists are on the rise again. With exclusive backstage access, i spent the last year investigating some of the most extreme voices. Theres a Prison Sentence Hanging over this man. Hes charged with calling for the violent overthrow of the government. Hes given us unprecedented access to his world. Nationalists like him believe that now is the time to act. We have war in ukraine, for example. If youre a patriot, okay, we must support our brothers. That is our politics, that that is our history. And i see new world after this war. I really see new europe, firstly europe, but probably a new world after this war. Just days after russia invaded ukraine, he Drew International attention by Mobilizing Thousands in Downtown Belgrade in support of russias war. Russian flags the pro was that signs and portraits of Vladimir Putin are an unusual sight in european streets. This was among the largest pro russian demonstrations seen in europe since the start of the war. Unlike the rest of europe, most people here believe that serbia should remain neutral in the war, and they support the president s decision not to impose sanctions on russia. The two countries have historical ties. They were allies in both world wars. They share a common Orthodox Christian faith and slavic roots. And like the russians, serbs have a sizable anti western and anti nato sentiment. Over the years, i heard a lot of rumors about him. His vigilante organization. Peoples patrol has a reputation for violence, but sifting through the footage on youtube, its clear that hes careful enough when theres a camera around. Serbias police seemed to tolerate their vigilante activity. Despite his extreme anti migrant views. We were interested in filming him to understand more about his pro russian perspective. Although suspicious of the bbc, he agreed to show us around. Russian army put this. We also in belgrade and in whole serbia, put that on our t shirts, on our walls, and we support our brothers. Many serbs believe that kosovo is their heartland. There have been serb cities and key monasteries here for centuries. But over time, the ethnic balance of kosovo has changed. By the 1980s, the albanians, who had lived alongside serbs for centuries, became the clear majority. Nearly 80 of the population. They started demanding more autonomy. Then like serbia, kosovo used to be part of yugoslavia. But when the federation tore itself apart in a bloody war, serbia tried to hold onto kosovo. Both sides committed atrocities. But when the serbs began ethnically cleansing the albanian population from parts of kosovo, nato intervened. We must not allow Ethnic Cleansing or genocide, particularly at the edge of europe. On the ground, Air Raid Sirens gave the first warning of the attacks. The streets emptied as many took shelter. Then came the first explosions. In 1999, nato launched an 11 week Bombing Campaign against serb forces in kosovo and on key targets across serbia. The air strikes eventually brought an end to bloodshed. The serbs preserved some of the ruins of natos attack, a permanent reminder of the lives lost and for some, how the west had wronged them. Fireworks for a new nation. This is not the safest street party in the world with Rockets Set Off in the crowd, but it must be one of the happiest. When in 2008, kosovo declared a unilateral independence from serbia, the west recognized and even encouraged it, while russia Backed Serbia and used its seat in the Un Security Council to block recognition. Over the years, i have witnessed a worrying rise in nationalism, the same kind of nationalism to tore this region apart. Since he is one of the most extreme voices of my generation, i wanted to know how he became so radicalized. He told me that he planned to be a professional basketball player, while studying in kosovo in 2011. So how did a Tough Guy Interested In Street Politics come to the attention of the russians . In november 20, 22, eight months into the war in ukraine, he had accepted an invitation to visit russias infamous paramilitary group, wagner. He was received at the newly opened media center. Wagner is russias most notorious Mercenary Group accused of committing multiple atrocities in syria, africa and now in ukraine. This is how wagner promoted the event. The Wagner Mercenary group is headed by yevgeny prigozhin, an oligarch who until recently had been very close to putin. In the last decade, russia has reportedly used paramilitary groups like wagner to covertly stir up tensions in neighboring countries. In ukraine, these groups provided the spark that would ultimately lead to russia annexing parts of the east. Could it be that the russians are readying people like him to do something similar in the balkans . Just days after his trip to russia, which joined the standoff on the border between serbia and kosovo, he was wearing the wagner group insignia. The clash followed weeks of tensions on the border, and there were fears that it would spark a new crisis. Could his presence at this clash be from a russian playbook . Back in belgrade, i caught another glimpse of how russias allies are at work. In serbias parliament, a new alliance of nationalist Political Parties had recently formed. Together, they have close to 15 of the parliamentary seats. The common belief that kosovo should be returned to serbia, and for that to happen, they need the support of the key ally, russia. If peoples patrol have political connections, theyre likely to be here. The leader of the party, also has a long history of links with russia. Like many serbian nationalists, hes reluctant to talk to the bbc, suspicious of our intentions. But after months of requests, he agrees to a general Interview Setting out his partys position. The nationalist parties had formed a coalition to oppose a new eu proposal, which they feared would force serbia to recognize kosovos independence. They believed serbias president vucic was considering approving it. Now it seems serbias president , who for years had expertly played the west against the east, was about to abandon putin. That angered the serb nationalists. He had told me that he was organizing another demonstration, he looked nervous. His demonstration against a european deal was planned for tomorrow and serbian intelligence. He hasjust called him in for questioning. How do you feel about the possibility of being arrested tomorrow . He had called a demonstration outside the president ial palace to ensure the president hears the message. No recognition of kosovo and support for russia. Around a thousand people from diverse groups had answered his call. Some i recognised i approached one, but he didnt want to talk to me in public. He said he was there as a private citizen, not a politician. Tensions are high. Earlier that morning, several members of peoples patrol had been arrested. Backstage just before his speech, which is taken aside by a man wearing wagner insignia. Visibly angry, he addressed the crowd. Empowered by the crowd, he leads to demonstration towards the president ial palace. Riot police had anticipated the move. That night the president made an appearance on tv. After several hours, the demonstrators finally dispersed. As they headed home, the police were waiting for him with a camera to film his arrest. Each patch will come in in the following weeks, the Nationalist Party had very organised vigils calling for his release. I see the same faces in each event, like the leader of the banned extremist organisation. Another is the director of the very party, but she seems to be camera shy. She appears to be coordinating with the participants. Could she be the link between these pro russian parties . Her social media frequently promotes peoples patrol. Curious, i have asked him before about their relationship. After two months in prison, he was released from detention, but his trial goes on. They are there to support him. His trial is due for another hearing in october. A week later, two events turned a situation in serbia upside down. Breaking news that eight pupils and a Security Guard have been killed in a School Shooting in the serbian capital, belgrade. Two Mass Shootings had left 19 people dead. The country was in shock. The shooting sparked a massive Grassroots Movement against violence. Week after week, the largest protests serbia has seen in decades called for resignations of ministers in the key pro russian official. Much of their anger aimed at president vucic. When some in peoples patrol became camera shy, it was clear that i had outstayed my welcome. After i left, i uncovered Social Media Footage of them attacking liberals, in a crowd. In his stripyjumper, he can be seen among them. I have seen the tide turn against the nationalists in the year i spent with them. For now, the violent rhetoric has been drowned out by peaceful protest. But as long as the kosovo issue remains unresolved, russia will find friends in serbia. This quite complex where the system moving its way across the uk but northern parts of scotland sticking into something drier or brighter albeit with a chance of some showers. Rain in southern scotland. There will be some drier gaps in between the heavy downpours. Quite windy in the south west corner. Temperatures suppressed. Through this evening and tonight we will continue to see outbreaks of rain coming and going. It will be quite misty and perky in places. Temperature wise, well, maybe down to six or 7 degrees. More generally 1016 to six or 7 degrees. More generally 10 16 and certainly mild. Indeed tomorrow theres area of low pressure to track slowly eastwards and there frontal system here will make for some quite heavy and persistent rain, especially across parts of Northern England into north wales as well. There could be enough rain to give rise to localised flooding particularly after what has been such a soggy day today and it doesnt bode massively well, i have to say, for the cricket at old trafford. It may turn a little drier and brighter later on but even if that happens there is the chance for some pretty hefty showers. To the North And South of that we will see some spells of sunshine but also some spells of sunshine but also some scattered showers. Heavy, possibly thundery and coastal parts of south east england. A slightly warmer day in temperatures between 16 and 23 degrees. As you move out of sunday into monday the area of low pressure moves away. Quite a cool northerly flow of air for the start of the new week. Temperatures below par and for the week ahead remains unsettled and rather cool. Goodbye for now. Live from london, this is bbc news. Englands lionesses get off to a flying start at the womens world cup as they beat haiti 1 0 in their opening match. 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