23.09.2026.

Anniversary of formation of heroic 125th Motorised Brigade commemorated

Today, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić laid a wreath at the Monument to the Defenders of the Homeland 1998-1999 in Kruševac to mark the anniversary of the formation of the former 125^th Motorised Brigade.

Minister Gašić laid the wreath accompanied by Brigadier General Nikola Matović, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence, and Lieutenant Colonel Tomica Vasović, Commander of the Rasina Brigade.

In his address, Minister Gašić noted that the name of the 125th Motorised Brigade was permanently etched in the history of the Serbian army, and that behind that name were years of severe hardships and people who, in the most difficult moments, had performed their military duty, defending their nation and making enormous sacrifices.

- Members of the 125th Motorised Brigade demonstrated extraordinary courage while defending our homeland during the 1999 NATO aggression. Across the inhospitable terrain of Prokletije, in severe weather and under continuous attacks, the brigade members fought resolutely in defence of the state border. Experienced officers, non-commissioned officers, and young soldiers whose lives had just begun stood side by side there. They knew what they were defending. They knew that the price to pay might be high, yet they held their positions – said the Minister of Defence.

During the 78 days of the NATO aggression, Minister Gašić stressed, 92 unit members were killed, six remain missing, and several hundred were wounded. These were sons, fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends, and each one of them had a home, ambitions, and loved ones they wanted to return to, he added.

Minister Gašić then addressed the families of the fallen and missing brigade members with profound respect.

- Nothing can erase the grief of a family that has lost its loved one. For that reason, the state must remember their names, preserve the dignity of their sacrifice, and ensure you are never forgotten. In contrast to how things once were, when our heroes could not even be mentioned, Serbia now stands firmly on the ground, proud of its glorious past and of all those who bravely defended it – Minister Gašić stated.

Addressing the veterans, the Minister noted that they understood better than anyone what it meant to be a member of that brigade during those difficult years.

- You know the names of those who stood next to you. You remember the positions you held together, the dangers you faced, and the fellow servicemen who did not return. You are the witnesses of an era and the guardians of the memory of your brothers-in-arms. I extend my gratitude to you today for everything you do to ensure their names and deeds are saved from oblivion – the Minister emphasised, adding that the 125th Motorised Brigade had been awarded the Order of the People’s Hero in recognition of its contribution to the defence of the homeland - an honour bearing testament to the courage, patriotism, and self-sacrifice of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers who had defended their nation without fear or hesitation in the most difficult moments.

Emphasising that the Serbian Armed Forces continue to develop, strengthen their capabilities, acquire new knowledge, and prepare for contemporary challenges, Minister Gašić noted that “every young soldier who puts on the uniform today must understand who wore it before them.”

- Every officer who assumes command must understand the weight of responsibility borne by those who commanded at the time when a human life depended on a single decision. That is how military traditions are preserved. That is how an army is built – an army that knows its foundations, the values it upholds, and the responsibility it has towards its people and its state – said the Minister of Defence.

The Minister stressed that it was our duty to gather before the Monument to the Defenders of the Homeland to pay homage to the fallen, offer our support to their families, and pay tribute to the survivors.

- It is our duty to pass down the names inscribed in this monument to future generations. So they may know who these individuals were, where they stood in the hardest of times, what they defended, and the price they paid. The members of the heroic 125th Motorised Brigade left us words that best describe their attitude towards their ancestors and their responsibility towards their descendants: “We have brought no dishonour on our ancestors. Future generations will not be ashamed of us.” Those words define our obligation – Minister Gašić said.

The wartime commander of the 125th Motorised Brigade, Major General Dragan Živanović (ret.), addressed those gathered, recalling that the unit was established on this day 45 years ago. He highlighted its vast area of responsibility and the heavy casualties suffered by the brigade and the units attached to it. This, he said, is a reason for unit members to gather every year to pay tribute to their fallen comrades, and express their condolences and gratitude to their families.

Wreaths were also laid by the Head of the Rasina Administrative District, Ivan Anđelić, the Mayor of Kruševac, Ivan Manojlović, representatives of veterans' associations and organisations, citizens’ associations, and members of the fallen servicemen's families.