ANNIVERSARY OF FORMATION OF HEROIC 125TH MOTORIZED BRIGADE COMMEMORATED

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 23 /SRNA/ - The 45th anniversary of the formation of the former 125th Motorized Brigade, which played a key role in defending the border of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia during the battles of Košare and Paštrik, was commemorated in Kruševac today.

Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić said that 92 members of the brigade were killed during the 78 days of NATO aggression, describing it as a heroic unit whose members defended their country and made great sacrifices for it.

He stressed that members of this heroic unit demonstrated particular courage during the NATO aggression, when, on the harsh terrain of the Prokletije Mountains, in difficult weather conditions and under constant attack, they resolutely stood up to defend the state border, Serbia’s Ministry of Defense said.

“The name of the 125th Motorized Brigade is permanently inscribed in the history of our military, and behind that name stand years of hardship and the men who, in the most difficult moments, carried out their military duty, defended their country and made great sacrifices for it,” Gašić said.

He reminded that, for its contribution to the defense of the homeland, the brigade was awarded the Order of the National Hero, a lasting testament to the courage, patriotism and self-sacrifice of the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers who, in the most difficult moments, stood fearlessly and without hesitation in defense of their homeland.

Retired Major General Dragan Živanović, wartime commander of the 125th Motorized Brigade, said that the brigade and the units attached to it suffered numerous casualties during combat operations, which is why they gather every year to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.