Stratfor is reporting that Serbia has reclaimed control of a 30-mile span of railroad in northern Kosovo, in defiance of Kosovo’s new government, The Associated Press reported March 3, citing comments from a senior Serbian official. Earlier, several dozen Serbian railroad workers blocked a freight trains passage on the line, demanding to be transferred to Serbia’s state-owned rail line and saying they would not work for Kosovo’s railroad company.

The United Nations is drafting a plan to give power to the local Kosovo government. This is being done in direct defiance of Russia’s expressed wishes for the newly proclaimed state. Both the UN and the EU are making plans to recognize Kosovo independence. Russia has been dogmatic about its intentions here and has given no ssigns it will be deterred. A conflict may be brewing.