The hero of the Serbian sky said one last sentence before his last flight: Commander Zivota Djuric was the first NATO victim in 1999 (VIDEO)

Members of the Kosovo Liberation Army who rejoiced when the NATO started the war against Yugoslavia were surprised by the attack of the airforce on their bases on 25th March 1999. They were surprised because the airplanes of the Yugoslav airforce are acting against them, which was unknown for much time during the war.

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The airforce of the Yugoslav military performed incredible 248 flights during the spring of 1999, and 36 of them were combat flights, announced by "Politika".

Since the runways on the airways, Ladjevci and Ponikve weren't functional on the first night of the aggression, the airplanes that did combat missions took off from there. They flew in groups of 2 and four, with a high speed of 800 km/h. These were very tiresome flights for the pilots because they lasted from 30 to 50 minutes (for the longest targets toward the border with Albania).

Foto: S. Pikula

At the head of those who attacked the goals on 25th March 1999 of the so-called KLA on Kosovo and Metohija was The Lieutenant Colonel Zivota Djuric, the commander of the 241st hunting and bombardment squadron, popularly known as the "Tigers".

During the bombing, the 98th Hunting and Bombing Airborne Regiment lost only one pilot. That was Zivota Djuric.

On the day of the bombing of the FRY, after his famous word that he uttered to the pilots, General Malinovic felt that he should speak with Zika in particular. He told him what he repeated a million time - that he has to go to the airplane with a clear head. Zika told him - man, you know me. 

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Son, that's why I am telling you, you did understand me, son, Malinovic said.

Foto: Tanjug/Rade Prelić

In the morning, 25th March 1999 they went to attack the command camps and barracks of KLA. They were flying in a sweeping pattern, with the speed of 800 km/h. Zika destroyed the base near Glogovac with two bombs. He was hit from the ground, most probably from the heavy machine gun.

While they waited for the pilots to return, Malinovic knew that Zika will never land again. 

Commander Zivota Djuric was listed as missing for two days. He was buried in his birth town Paracin and he left his wife, son and a daughter. He was almost 36 years old.

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(Telegraf.co.uk)