Captain Predrag Milutinović — MiG-29 against the NATO armada

Captain Predrag Milutinović was killed on the same day as Captain Radosavljević — 26 March 1999, the second day of the NATO aggression. His MiG-29 was shot down in aerial combat over Kosovo, whereby the Serbian air force lost two pilots and two precious aircraft in a single day.

Two pilots, one day

Captain Milutinović took off in the second wave of interception, shortly after Captain Radosavljević. The Air Force command decided to send more aircraft in an attempt to at least symbolically contest NATO's dominance of the airspace.

His mission was identical — to intercept NATO combat aircraft attacking targets in Kosovo. Like Radosavljević, he faced the same insurmountable problem: NATO electronic warfare systems completely blinded the radar of his MiG-29, while enemy fighters had full situational awareness thanks to AWACS support.

Downed over Kosovo

Captain Milutinović's MiG-29 was detected by NATO radar systems soon after takeoff. A Dutch F-16AM from the 322nd Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force was tasked with the interception. The Dutch pilot launched an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile that struck the Serbian aircraft.

Captain Milutinović attempted to eject, but at too low an altitude. He did not survive. He was 32 years old.

The cost of the first days of fighting

The loss of two MiG-29s and two pilots in a single day was a heavy blow for the Serbian air force. Of a total of 11 operational MiG-29 aircraft, two were destroyed within a few hours. This rate of losses clearly showed that a frontal clash with NATO fighter aviation made no military sense.

After 26 March, the Serbian command changed its tactics. Instead of open interception, the MiGs were used for sudden, brief takeoffs with the task of imposing at least psychological pressure on NATO pilots. Every takeoff was carefully planned, short, and with a pre-prepared escape route.

Two heroes, one fate

Captains Radosavljević and Milutinović are remembered together today — as two young pilots who died on the same day, in the same unequal fight. Their names stand side by side on the memorial plaque of fallen pilots.

Both knew what awaited them. Both took off nonetheless. It was not suicide — it was an act of soldierly duty and love for the homeland that transcends rational calculation. In Serbia's military tradition, such feats have deep roots, from the heroes of Kosovo to the Salonika volunteers.

Captain Predrag Milutinović was a son, a brother, a comrade and a warrior. His life was short, but full of dignity. Lest it be forgotten.