The gathering in Gazimestan, located near Obiliq, caused long lines of vehicles on the Prishtina-Mitrovica highway.

During this time, police carried out checks to verify whether participants were carrying symbols that incite interethnic hatred.

According to police officials on the ground, the situation was calm.

The date of June 28 is linked to the Battle of Kosovo, in which the coalition of the armies of the peoples of the Balkans was defeated by the Ottoman Empire. After this defeat, the peoples of the Balkans either fell under Ottoman occupation or were forced to become vassals of the sultan. The Albanian princes continued their resistance, the best known among them being Skanderbeg. Serbia became part of the Ottoman Empire.

The Battle of Kosovo took place on the Kosovo Field on June 28 (June 15 according to the old calendar), 1389, between the coalition of the armies of the peoples of the Balkans, led by Prince Lazar, and the Ottoman forces led by Sultan Murad I (reigned 1360–89). The clash was fierce, and both leaders, Prince Lazar and Sultan Murad, as well as many other princes, were killed there. Both armies were almost completely destroyed.

However, the Ottoman Empire had the means and resources to raise a new army in a shorter period of time. The peoples of the Balkans were unable to recover quickly, and most of them ended up under Ottoman rule.

There are not many records of the Battle of Kosovo, and most of them even contradict one another.

It is precisely for this reason that today this event is known more for the myths surrounding it than for the historical facts.

Under the rule of Sultan Murad I, the Ottomans extended their power from Anatolia toward the Balkans. In the summer of 1389, Sultan Murad arrived in Kosovo, where he faced the coalition of princes.

Although the battle is often portrayed as a clash between Serbs and Turks or between Christians and Muslims, the facts indicate otherwise.

On one side were the Ottomans, whose army also included soldiers from the peoples and princes who were their vassals, including Christians.

Facing them was a coalition of princes from the peoples of the Balkans, among whom were also many Albanian princes.

It is known that Prince Lazar was killed in battle, but the circumstances of his death are not known. Another Serbian prince, Vuk Branković, seeing that the battle could not be won and that as many soldiers as possible had to be saved, withdrew from the fighting. In Serbian accounts, Branković is described as a traitor and his withdrawal as the cause of Prince Lazar’s death.

Sultan Murad I was also killed in this battle, and he is believed to have been killed by Miloš Obilić, one of the main heroes in the stories and legends about the Battle of Kosovo.

After the death of Murad I, his son Bayezid I became sultan and for a time continued the campaign to expand the Ottoman conquest in the Balkans, but in 1403 he was defeated near Ankara by the Mongol troops of Tamerlane.

This created opportunities for Albanian lords to strengthen their positions. During this period, families such as the Balshaj, the Dukagjini and the Zahariaj in Northern Albania; the Kastrioti, Topiaj, Arianiti, Muzakaj and Gropaj in Central Albania; as well as the Shpataj and Zenebish in Southern Albania came to the fore.

At the same time, Venice managed to take the coastal cities from the Bay of Kotor to Arta. Budva, Ulcinj, Shkodra, Lezha, Durrës and Parga, which were important centers of trade and exchange with the country’s inland regions, became part of what is known in history as Venetian Albania.

The post Serb gathering in Gazimestan for “Vidovdan” concludes appeared first on Albeu.com.

During this activity, according to announcements, the newest weaponry of the Serbian armed forces will also be presented.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has said that this will be the most important exercise the Serbian army has organized so far.

Regarding this development, security expert Arben Dashevci said in a statement to “Bota sot” that the military exercise Serbia will hold on June 28 at the “Pasuljanske Livade” training ground does not pose a risk to Kosovo, because it is taking place within Serbian territory.

“On June 28, the Serbian Army will hold a military exercise at the ‘Pasuljanske Livade’ training ground, the very same training ground where those who attacked the Republic of Kosovo in the Banjska attack also trained.

In security terms, I do not think this exercise has any important role because Serbia has received a clear message from the international community over the attack in Banjska and the surrender of the terrorists.

Serbia knows this very well.

So, I do not see any danger at all with regard to this exercise there in their country, because they are on their own territory.

And, as always or as every year on the day of the Battle of Kosovo, which in Serbia is marked as Vidovdan, President Aleksandar Vučić uses harsh hybrid warfare, meaning he propagandizes and misinforms his public there, claiming that this is the most important exercise so far, where the newest weaponry of the Serbian army will also be presented, etc.,” he said.

According to Dashevci, this exercise is part of the continuation of the hybrid warfare Serbia conducts for domestic consumption, while he underlined that the choice of the date June 28 carries a symbolic and political message for the region, especially for Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At the same time, he called on the international community to react clearly and decisively to what he described as continued provocation from Belgrade.

“So, it is a continuation of their hybrid warfare for his domestic consumption because he has been facing internal problems for years now.

The choice of June 28 for holding this propaganda exercise is a medium-term and long-term symbolic, but also political, message for the Balkan region, especially for Kosovo or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I think the international community should react loudly and decisively to these successive provocations being carried out by this establishment in Serbia,” he concluded.

The post Dashevci on Serbia’s June 28 exercise: Vučić is using it for propaganda appeared first on Albeu.com.

According to the KP team at the scene, the suspected cause of her fainting was the heat.

Initially, those present provided her with first aid, after which medical teams also intervened.

She was then taken to hospital.

The post Serbian Woman Loses Consciousness From Heat During “Vidovdan” Celebration in Gračanica appeared first on Albeu.com.

In a statement to “Bota sot,” Major General Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj assessed that the choice of this date for holding the exercise cannot be seen as an ordinary military action.

According to him, this choice carries a clear political and strategic weight.

“Serbia’s decision to organize a major military exercise precisely on June 28, on Vidovdan, cannot be seen merely as a routine military activity. The choice of this date carries a powerful historical and political symbolism, aimed at sending multiple messages, both domestically and regionally,” he said.

Racaj stressed that this exercise constitutes a display of Serbia’s military capabilities and a direct signal to the countries of the region.

“First, this exercise represents a demonstration of Serbia’s military capabilities and state power. The presentation of the newest weaponry on a date of particular historical significance aims to project the image of a state with high defensive-offensive military capabilities, while also sending signals to neighboring countries, especially the Republic of Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia.

Second, the holding of this exercise should also be seen in the context of the domestic political situation in Serbia. In a period marked by protests and public dissatisfaction, including student demonstrations, the display of military force can be interpreted as an attempt to strengthen the authority of state institutions, to mobilize public opinion around the patriotic narrative, and to divert attention from internal challenges,” he assessed.

In the end, he underlined that this military activity also sends a message to the international community, while warning that the use of historical symbolism in a sensitive region could have consequences for regional security.

“At the same time, this exercise also conveys a strategic message to international actors that Serbia aims to remain a militarily significant player in the Balkans and to preserve its capacities to defend national interests according to its political vision.

However, in a region that still faces security challenges, the use of historical symbolism and demonstrations of military power require particular caution. Stability in the Western Balkans is built on dialogue, regional cooperation, and respect for international law, while rhetoric and symbolism that may be interpreted as threatening risk increasing mistrust and tensions in the region,” Racaj concluded for “Bota sot.”

The post Racaj: Serbia’s military exercise on Vidovdan sends political and strategic messages appeared first on Albeu.com.

Më 28 qershor, në ditën e Vidovdanit që lidhet me Betejën e Kosovës, Ushtria e Serbisë pritet të mbajë një stërvitje ushtarake në poligonin “Pasuljanske Livade”. Gjatë këtij aktiviteti do të prezantohet edhe armatimi më i ri i forcave të armatosura serbe.

Në një prononcim për “Bota sot”, Gjeneral Major Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj ka vlerësuar se përzgjedhja e kësaj date për zhvillimin e stërvitjes nuk mund të shihet si një veprim i zakonshëm ushtarak.

Sipas tij, kjo zgjedhje mbart një ngarkesë të qartë politike dhe strategjike.

“Vendimi i Serbisë për të organizuar një stërvitje të madhe ushtarake pikërisht më 28 qershor, në ditën e Vidovdanit, nuk mund të shihet vetëm si një aktivitet rutinë ushtarak. Përzgjedhja e kësaj date bart një simbolikë të fuqishme historike dhe politike, e cila synon të dërgojë mesazhe të shumëfishta, si në planin e brendshëm, ashtu edhe në atë rajonal”, ka thënë ai.

Racaj ka theksuar se kjo stërvitje përbën një shfaqje të kapaciteteve ushtarake të Serbisë dhe një sinjal të drejtpërdrejtë për vendet e rajonit.

“Së pari, kjo stërvitje paraqet një demonstrim të kapaciteteve ushtarake dhe të fuqisë shtetërore të Serbisë. Prezantimi i armatimit më të ri në një datë me peshë të veçantë historike synon të projektojë imazhin e një shteti me aftësi të larta mbrojtëse – sulmuese ushtarake, duke dërguar sinjale edhe ndaj vendeve fqinje, veçanërisht Republikës së Kosovës, Shqipërisë dhe Kroacisë.

Së dyti, zhvillimi i kësaj stërvitjeje duhet parë edhe në kontekstin e situatës së brendshme politike në Serbi. Në një periudhë të shoqëruar me protesta dhe pakënaqësi të qytetarëve, përfshirë demonstratat e studentëve, demonstrimi i forcës ushtarake mund të interpretohet si një përpjekje për të forcuar autoritetin e institucioneve shtetërore, për të mobilizuar opinionin publik rreth narrativës patriotike dhe për ta zhvendosur vëmendjen nga sfidat e brendshme”, ka vlerësuar ai.

Në fund, ai ka nënvizuar se ky aktivitet ushtarak përcjell një mesazh edhe për bashkësinë ndërkombëtare, ndërsa ka tërhequr vëmendjen se përdorimi i simbolikës historike në një rajon të ndjeshëm mund të ketë pasoja për sigurinë rajonale.

“Njëkohësisht, kjo stërvitje përçon edhe një mesazh strategjik ndaj faktorëve ndërkombëtarë se Serbia synon të mbetet një aktor me peshë ushtarake në Ballkan dhe të ruajë kapacitetet e saj për të mbrojtur interesat kombëtare sipas vizionit të saj politik.

Megjithatë, në kushtet e një rajoni që ende përballet me sfida të sigurisë, përdorimi i simbolikës historike dhe demonstrimet e fuqisë ushtarake kërkojnë kujdes të veçantë. Stabiliteti në Ballkanin Perëndimor ndërtohet mbi dialogun, bashkëpunimin rajonal dhe respektimin e së drejtës ndërkombëtare, ndërsa retorika dhe simbolika që mund të interpretohen si kërcënuese rrezikojnë të rrisin mosbesimin dhe tensionet në rajon”, ka përfunduar Racaj për “Bota sot”.

The post Racaj: Stërvitja ushtarake e Serbisë në Vidovdan përcjell mesazhe politike dhe strategjike appeared first on Albeu.com.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced that this exercise will be the most important one the Serbian army has conducted so far.

June 28, known as Vidovdan, holds a special place in Serbia’s historical and national memory, as it is linked to the 1389 Battle of Kosovo and is considered one of the most significant dates in the Serbian political and historical calendar.

Regarding this development, security expert Drizan Shala says that the choice of June 28 for organizing the largest exercise of the Serbian Army carries powerful political symbolism, especially in relation to Kosovo.

He stresses, however, that a professional assessment cannot rely only on the symbolic weight of the date, but must also examine the military units involved and the operational scenario in order to understand the true objective of this exercise.

“There is no doubt that the choice of June 28 — Vidovdan — for holding the largest exercise of the Serbian Army carries strong political and historical symbolism. This date is part of Serbian national identity, and its use for a demonstration of military power conveys a political message, both to the domestic public and to the region, particularly to Kosovo. However, a professional security analysis cannot rely only on symbolism. To understand the real purpose of the exercise, the military elements that make it up must be analyzed.

First, it must be identified which units are taking part in the exercise. Are infantry brigades, mechanized and armored units, artillery, special forces, military aviation, air defense, or electronic warfare components involved? The structure of the participating force is the first indicator of the nature of the exercise.

Second, the operational scenario must be analyzed. Is it simulating territorial defense, a counteroffensive, offensive operations, the seizure and holding of an objective, the neutralization of a command center, deep operations, or the integration of fire between ground and air forces? Only an analysis of the tactical mission can show which capabilities are being tested,” he says.

Shala further says that to decode the real purpose of the exercise, the functioning of the command system, intelligence, electronic warfare, logistical support, and the pace of mobilization must also be examined.

According to him, only a full analysis at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels can determine whether this is a show of force, a raising of combat readiness, or the sending of a broader strategic message.

“Another key element is the command and control (C2) system, the integration of intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR), the use of electronic warfare (EW), logistical support, and the pace of mobilization. These components show whether we are dealing with a routine exercise, a show of force, or a test of operational readiness for more complex scenarios.

Only after these indicators are analyzed can an assessment be made on three levels:

• Tactical – what specific mission the units are practicing and what objectives they are simulating on the ground.

• Operational – whether the exercise demonstrates the ability to coordinate large formations and conduct combined operations.

• Strategic – what message Serbia aims to send through this exercise and how it relates to its security policy objectives.

Therefore, while the date of the exercise remains an element with clear political symbolism, a professional assessment must be based on an analysis of the force composition (Order of Battle – ORBAT), the operational scenario, the mission objectives, and the capabilities being tested. Only then can it be determined accurately whether the exercise is intended simply to demonstrate power, increase combat readiness, or send a broader strategic message,” he concludes for “Bota sot”.

The post Security expert explains the message behind Serbia’s largest military exercise appeared first on Albeu.com.

Presidenti serb Aleksandar Vuçiq ka bërë të ditur se kjo stërvitje do të jetë më e rëndësishmja që ushtria serbe ka zhvilluar deri tani.

Data 28 qershor, e njohur si Vidovdan, zë një vend të veçantë në kujtesën historike dhe kombëtare të Serbisë, pasi lidhet me Betejën e Kosovës të vitit 1389 dhe konsiderohet ndër datat më domethënëse në kalendarin politik dhe historik serb.

Lidhur me këtë zhvillim, eksperti i sigurisë Drizan Shala vlerëson se përzgjedhja e 28 qershorit për organizimin e stërvitjes më të madhe të Ushtrisë së Serbisë mbart një simbolikë të fuqishme politike, sidomos në raport me Kosovën.

Ai nënvizon, megjithatë, se një vlerësim profesional nuk mund të mbështetet vetëm te pesha simbolike e datës, por duhet të shqyrtojë edhe njësitë ushtarake të përfshira dhe skenarin operacional, në mënyrë që të kuptohet objektivi i vërtetë i kësaj stërvitjeje.

“Nuk ka dyshim se zgjedhja e 28 qershorit – Vidovdanit – për zhvillimin e stërvitjes më të madhe të Ushtrisë së Serbisë mbart një simbolikë të fortë politike dhe historike. Kjo datë është pjesë e identitetit kombëtar serb dhe përdorimi i saj për një demonstrim të fuqisë ushtarake përçon një mesazh politik, si për opinionin e brendshëm, ashtu edhe për rajonin, veçanërisht për Kosovën. Megjithatë, një analizë profesionale e sigurisë nuk mund të mbështetet vetëm te simbolika. Për të kuptuar qëllimin real të stërvitjes, duhet të analizohen elementet ushtarake që e përbëjnë atë.

Së pari, duhet identifikuar se cilat njësi marrin pjesë në ushtrim. A janë të angazhuara brigadat e këmbësorisë, njësitë e mekanizuara dhe të blinduara, artileria, forcat speciale, aviacioni ushtarak, mbrojtja kundërajrore apo komponentët e luftës elektronike? Struktura e forcës pjesëmarrëse është treguesi i parë i natyrës së stërvitjes.

Së dyti, duhet analizuar skenari operacional. A simulohet mbrojtja e territorit, kundërsulmi, operacionet ofensive, marrja dhe mbajtja e një objektivi, neutralizimi i një qendre komanduese, operacionet në thellësi apo integrimi i zjarrit ndërmjet forcave tokësore dhe ajrore? Vetëm analiza e misionit taktik mund të tregojë se cilat aftësi po testohen”, thotë ai.

Më tej, Shala thotë se për të zbërthyer qëllimin real të stërvitjes, duhet parë edhe funksionimi i sistemit të komandimit, inteligjenca, lufta elektronike, mbështetja logjistike dhe ritmi i mobilizimit.

Sipas tij, vetëm një analizë e plotë në planin taktik, operacional dhe strategjik mund të përcaktojë nëse kemi të bëjmë me një demonstrim force, një ngritje të gatishmërisë luftarake apo me dërgimin e një mesazhi strategjik më të gjerë.

“Një element tjetër kyç është sistemi i komandimit dhe kontrollit (C2), integrimi i inteligjencës, zbulimit dhe vëzhgimit (ISR), përdorimi i luftës elektronike (EW), mbështetja logjistike dhe ritmi i mobilizimit. Këto komponentë tregojnë nëse kemi të bëjmë me një ushtrim rutinë, një demonstrim force apo një testim të gatishmërisë operacionale për skenarë më kompleksë.

Vetëm pasi të analizohen këta indikatorë mund të nxirret një vlerësim në tre nivele:

• Taktik – çfarë misioni konkret po ushtrojnë njësitë dhe cilat objektiva simulojnë në terren.

• Operacional – nëse stërvitja demonstron aftësinë për të koordinuar formacione të mëdha dhe për të zhvilluar operacione të kombinuara.

• Strategjik – çfarë mesazhi synon të dërgojë Serbia përmes kësaj stërvitjeje dhe si lidhet ai me objektivat e saj të politikës së sigurisë.

Prandaj, ndërsa data e zhvillimit të ushtrimit mbetet një element me simbolikë të qartë politike, vlerësimi profesional duhet të mbështetet mbi analizën e përbërjes së forcave (Order of Battle – ORBAT), skenarit operacional, objektivave të misionit dhe kapaciteteve që testohen. Vetëm atëherë mund të përcaktohet me saktësi nëse stërvitja synon thjesht demonstrimin e fuqisë, rritjen e gatishmërisë luftarake apo dërgimin e një mesazhi strategjik më të gjerë”, – përfundon ai për “Bota sot”.

The post Eksperti i sigurisë shpjegon mesazhin pas manovrës më të madhe ushtarake të Serbisë appeared first on Albeu.com.

In an analysis published on Facebook, Fetoshi said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is continuing to place history and national symbols in the service of political and strategic objectives.

“Vidovdan is not a historical or religious anniversary, but has turned into a ritual of calls for conflict and violence. In the post-Milošević hybrid strategy, Vidovdan is the mechanism that feeds manipulative narratives about the ‘Serbian World’: victimization, the ‘holy’ land, and Western aggression,” Fetoshi wrote.

According to him, nationalist interpretations of the Battle of Kosovo have been exploited over the years for political mobilization and to fuel territorial claims against Kosovo.

“It is sacralized so that it cannot be negotiated. There can be no compromise with sanctity. They go to Brussels to win ‘constructiveness,’ but the ‘earthly’ reality of the Republic of Kosovo cannot be accepted,” he stressed.

Fetoshi also underlined that the narrative of victimization has been used to evade responsibility for crimes committed during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, as well as to mobilize public opinion in Serbia.

“In this context, victimization is a strategy for avoiding responsibility regarding war crimes in Kosovo and propaganda for emotional mobilization, certified through the religious clergy,” he declared.

He also criticized narratives that, according to him, aim to relativize war crimes and delegitimize Kosovo’s institutions.

“Claims of repression and terror against the ‘Serb people’ and of KLA ‘crimes’ during the war that ‘are deliberately not investigated’ aim to demonize the Republic of Kosovo, deceive international opinion, and hinder the integration of the Serb community,” he wrote.

According to the director of the “Octopus” Institute, the symbolism of Vidovdan continues to be used for Serbia’s domestic political needs as well, through political mobilization and by feeding narratives about the “injustice” done to Serbia.

“In the game of power, Vučić makes use of the symbolism of pride, strength, and economic development. He organizes activities and inspirational liturgies before Vidovdan, mobilizes electoral support in Belgrade, and demonstrates new combat systems on June 28,” Fetoshi stressed.

In conclusion, he argued that Vidovdan should not be seen only as a historical or religious commemoration, but as part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy.

“As long as Kosovo is treated as a myth and not accepted as a reality, Vidovdan will remain the ritual of war bells in the Balkans,” Fetoshi concluded.

The post Fetoshi: Vidovdan symbolism is being used as a tool of hybrid warfare against Kosovo appeared first on Albeu.com.