Recently crowned UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg's marksman Pavel Pogrebnyak and Spartak Moscow striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scored one apiece for Russia, while Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic was on target for Serbia.
Both opponents looked slightly rusty from the start, producing a catalogue of unforced errors in the opening 10 minutes.
But in the 12th minute Russia went into a 1-0 lead through Pogrebnyak, who fired home a 35-yard free-kick, the ball flying in off the post.
Six minutes later Pantelic missed a clear chance to equalise, heading over the crossbar from six yards from Dejan Milovanovic's well-struck free-kick.
Russia dominated the play but Pantelic nevertheless levelled five minutes before the break, clipping in from close range past helpless goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev following a Russian mix-up in defence.
Russia replied positively and began peppering Serbia's goalie Vladimir Dislenkovic with shots but failed to restore their lead before the interval.
But three minutes after the restart Pavlyuchenko made it 2-1, firing in from seven yards following a Dmitry Sychev cross from the left.
In the closing stages Russia were in control, stifling Serbia's attacking efforts and easily holding their advantage to the final whistle.
Guus Hiddink's Russia open their Euro 2008 campaign against Spain on June 10 followed by holders Greece (June 14) and Sweden (June 18) in the group stage.
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