The Bombing of Podgorica - the First Victims in Montenegro

On 26 March 1999, on the third day of the aggression, NATO bombed Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, causing the first civilian victims on Montenegrin territory.

Striking the Airport and the City

The primary target was the Golubovci military airport, but the missiles also struck nearby residential buildings:

• Golubovci airport - the radar station
• The "Moskva" residential block - 3 buildings
• The industrial zone

Victims

3 civilians were killed in the attacks:

• Marko Orlandić (62 years old, a pensioner)
• Jovana Bulatović (34 years old, a nurse)
• Milan Raičković (48 years old, a worker)

The Political Dimension

The bombing of Montenegro was controversial because the government of Montenegro was in conflict with Belgrade and was seeking greater autonomy. Many citizens felt betrayed by NATO, which claimed to be "liberating" the region.

Reactions

The President of Montenegro, Milo Đukanović, condemned the attacks: "NATO is bombing innocent citizens who did not take part in any conflict."