If there is a brotherhood worth celebrating in Eastern Europe which is generally hostile and violent then it is the Serbian and Russian brotherhood. The two countries close relationship dates back to 1838. It is a known fact that Russia backed Serbia over the Kosovo conflict, and Serbia returned the favour by backing Russia over South Ossetia, Abkhazia and then Crimea.

This did not end as during World War I, the two nations were so close that the Russian Empire was unanimously accepted by the Serbians as it's protector and only real ally. This could also be attributed to their common practice of orthodox religion which has transformed mere diplomatic and social relationship into religious and spiritual relationship.

This was highlighted in 2011, when Russian Vlamir Putin visited the Red Star's stadium of Marakana to watch the youth match between Red Star Belgrade and Zenith Saint Petersburg. Both clubs happen to belong to the Gazprom's Sport Empire. Putin was more than happy with the 25,000 people that greeted him giving him a hero'a welcome. Putin was initially scheduled to visit the clubs museum and trophy room but changed his mind after the welcome. His name was cheered every second through out the match and he left after 50 minutes of football . Putin went home with a Red Star Jersey and his name written at the back and the UEFA European Cup trophy replica that Red Star win in 1991 in Bari.

Serbs see Putin as a man of strength and determination. He is highly revered in Serbia and has already attained a cult status , Serbs do not waste time to confess to praying fervently to have a man like Putin govern them.

To show the close relationship between the two countries , Red Star General Manager Zvezdan Terzic canceled the clubs winter tour in Antayla Turkey after Turkey shot down a Russian aircraft near it's border with Syria . The decision we were told was made out of respect to the "Protector of Serbia "(Vladimir Putin). Also just in time , Red Star's greatest rivals Partizan Belgrade did the same by cancelling their tour to Antalya .

What should be noted however, is that both Red Star and Partizan were the first clubs to speak against the event in the Syrian border. In doing so, they joined in the consistent support of Russia and it's international politics . One only wonders when the relationship will wane or what it will bring forth, for now Serbia is more than happy to be called an extension of Russia.

Source

http://mailtelegraph..com.ng/2016/01/the-history-of-serbian-russian.html?m=1