The ongoing controversy over a Serbian police helicopter, which authorities in Republika Srpska (RS) entity insist should assist in extinguishing a fire in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, continues to generate heated debates.

Following a statement from Bosnia and Herzegovina's Defense Minister Zukan Helez, asserting that he will not allow a Serbian helicopter to operate in Bosnia because it undermines state institutions, a new reaction has emerged from the RS, this time directly targeting Sarajevo. The threat implies that the Bosnian capital could face a gas shortage next winter.

Nenad Stevandic, the Speaker of the RS National Assembly, announced on Tuesday that the RS will not permit the transportation of gas from Serbia to Bosnia when winter arrives, Srna news agency reported.

Stevandic made this statement on X social media platform, in response to Defense Minister Helez's declaration that he would prevent a Serbian helicopter from firefighting in Bosnia, emphasizing that it diminishes Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty.

“When winter comes, we will not allow the transportation of gas from Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid degrading that country. Let Sarajevo warm itself with Helez, Komsic, and the likes,” he wrote.

This ongoing dispute stems from a fire that broke out in mid-July in the southern Bosnian municipality of Gacko. The Republika Srpska Helicopter Service requested assistance from the Serbian Ministry of Interior, bypassing Bosnia's Defence Ministry. The fire on Mount Baba near Gacko was eventually extinguished through significant efforts by firefighters and the Republika Srpska Helicopter Service. However, the political firestorm between Sarajevo and Banja Luka, fueled by the issue of permissions for the Serbian helicopter, continues to rage.