Serbs march in support of 'Mother Russia' in Belgrade

STORY: Thousands of Serbs waving Russian flags and carrying pictures of President Vladimir Putin marched through Belgrade to the Russian embassy on Friday, in a rare show of public support for Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine.

Serbia is performing a delicate balancing act between its European aspirations, partnership with NATO and its centuries-old religious, ethnic and political alliance with Russia.

Around 4,000 people joined the march after gathering in front of a monument of Russian Tsar Nicholas II in central Belgrade, where they played Russian and Serbian anthems and hailed the two countries as brethren nations.

"This is about saving mankind," said an elderly man carrying a Russian flag. "This is the battle between good and evil. And we know, glory to Lord, the Mother Russia will win.”