17.06.2023.
Statement
The Ministry of Defence hereby provides additional information to the public regarding the accident that took place on June 16, 2023, killing Senior Sergeant 1st Class Branislav Kovačević. This statement is to prevent the politicization of the tragedy through false information disseminated by irresponsible individuals.
On the above said day, Sergeant Kovačević was carrying out a regular assignment, securing the administrative boundary line with Kosovo and Metohija. He had been driving a motor vehicle accompanied by his group through the Ground Security Zone when the accident occurred in the village of Drenovac at around 09:30 a.m.
Unfortunately, Sergeant Kovačević, who had been driving the vehicle, was killed in the crash, whereas the other three members of the Serbian Armed Forces, who had been inside the vehicle when it crashed, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received timely medical attention at the health centre in Vranje.
The circumstances surrounding the traffic accident will be determined following the procedures established by law.
Regarding yesterday’s allegations made by irresponsible individuals, we would like to point out the following:
- Senior Kovačević had not participated in exercise Platinum Wolf, which is being conducted 50 km from the scene of the accident. - None of the soldiers, who were injured in the accident, nor the vehicle they were using at the time of the accident, had participated in the exercise.
- Senior Sergeant 1st Class Kovačević participated in the 1998-1999 combat operations in Kosovo and Metohija as a platoon commander at the 2nd Motorized Battalion, 549th Motorized Brigade, in Djakovica. He is survived by his wife and two children. He served his country and his people honourably and bravely, being a shining example of how this sacred duty should be performed.
We call on irresponsible individuals not to make attempts to politicize this tragedy and to stop spreading inaccurate and unverified information.
