On the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, a series of events and statements have brought the historical conflict back into focus. The NATO mission, which began on March 24, 1999, involved 19 countries and targeted Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo, has been widely criticized for its impact on civilians and infrastructure, described by some as 'collateral damage'. Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the bombing a 'huge tragedy', condemning the West's actions as 'unacceptable' and akin to starting a war in Europe without UN Security Council approval. In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vučić expressed a firm stance against NATO, emphasizing Serbia's commitment to sovereignty, truth, and honor. Meanwhile, protests in Belgrade called for an end to cooperation with NATO, and Kosovo was granted associate member status in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The events of 1999, including the use of depleted uranium shells, continue to have lasting effects on the region.
Yugoslavia. Clinton: "Today we and 18 of our NATO allies began what we said we would do, we would restore peace." Biden : "I insisted on bombing Belgrade, I insisted that our pilots destroy the bridges over the Drina." Iraq. Bush: "Dear compatriots, America and its allies have… https://t.co/vj8WvTg73R
" We will never join NATO. Little Serbia will fight with truth, honor, knowledge and everything it has to preserve its territory, its people and its future" From yesterday's speech by Serbian President Vucic on the 25th anniversary of the start of NATO bombing of Serbia. https://t.co/hIVX7elJEl
🇷🇸 We will never join NATO! - Vučić "Little Serbia will fight with truth, honor, knowledge, and everything it has to preserve its territory, to preserve its people, and to preserve its future." #NATO #Serbia #Vucic https://t.co/za6MaSWrqx
NATO's illegal bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 is a "huge tragedy" - Putin "What the West did was completely unacceptable." "Without any resolution of the UN Security Council, they directly started a military operation, actually a war, in the center of Europe, with the bombing of… https://t.co/flki58afCy
In Belgrade, on the 25th anniversary of the start of the bombing of Yugoslavia, an action is taking place, the participants of which demand an end to cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance https://t.co/uOd0YGWxr3
🇽🇰 Today on the 25th anniversary of NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, Kosovo was granted the status of an associate member in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Quarter of a century ago, the territory of Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo was subjected to a massive NATO bombing campaign. The effects of those strikes are still being felt today, especially where depleted uranium shells were used. https://t.co/oUVItxY2U6
In Belgrade, on the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the bombing of Yugoslavia, an action is taking place, the participants of which demand to stop cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance. During the march, they chant "NATO are fascists". Subscribe to… https://t.co/lQhKQ0cMNE
Today marks 25 years since NATO bombed Yugoslavia—killing thousands, wrecking the economy, and ultimately splitting up the country. Today, we’re publishing newly-uncovered documents revealing Tony Blair personally ordered strikes on civilian targets. “We must strengthen the… https://t.co/WF1dJUPGnj
We are the three great Slavic brothers and we will always stand by each other against any enemy till the very end. Belarus 🤝 Russia 🤝 Serbia https://t.co/jgGNn5gisV
Today in Serbia it's FUCK @NATO day. We will be celebrating your demise. Never forget 1999!!
Monument dedicated to Serbian children killed by NATO in 1999. We will never forget! https://t.co/daugoxfxtz
🇷🇺 The bombing of Yugoslavia 25 years ago was a huge tragedy - Putin "What the West has done is unacceptable, in fact they have started a war in Europe," the Russian president said. https://t.co/nwfxCz8yvS
Where where you then, world moralists? NATO bagression and bombing of Serbia. The bombing of civilian facilities and civilians was called "collateral damage", without mercy, without conscience. Devilish 2 https://t.co/oRV3Zb5BWZ
Where where you then, world moralists? NATO bagression and bombing of Yugoslavia. The bombing of civilian facilities and civilians was called "collateral damage", without mercy, without conscience. Devilish 1 https://t.co/1S8PSawYhB
My dear banned friend Kit Klarenberg on the 25th anniversary of the illegal NATO bombing of socialist Yugoslavia https://t.co/LHIYKccMvo via @ActiveMeasures8
Today is the 25th anniversary of NATO aggression on Yugoslavia. A small Balkan country was just a testing ground for the concept to come. It didn't stop there but rather built up confidence in the alliance so they could increase the spreading of so-called democracy all over the… https://t.co/80Rgua0o17
On March 24, 1999, NATO bombing of Serbia began - 19 large countries against one small Serbia https://t.co/3KJdJ48Yw2
⚡️🇷🇸 Today marks 25 years since the start of NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. All this time the West is cutting and shredding foreign states as it pleases. Kosovo should be independent, but Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Catalonia should not, Montenegro has the right to… https://t.co/OYCJ8ZhguQ
The hypocrisy of the NATO ambassador: The bombing was not directed against the people of Serbia. After the "congratulations" sent to the Serbian people on the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the FR Yugoslavia by the mission of the United States of America to the OSCE, the… https://t.co/s4WwbtWJ40