Serbia will soon commemorate the 26th anniversary of the NATO bombings of Belgrade, a pivotal moment that continues to shape its national identity. At the same time, the country finds itself at a crossroads, gripped by historic demonstrations that have grown into the largest the nation has seen in decades. As Serbia suddenly returns to European headlines, questions arise about how the legacy of 1999 still influences its politics, society, and global outlook. What lessons can be drawn from the past, and how does the memory of the bombings continue to define Serbia’s path forward?
In the spring of 1999, air raid sirens echoed across Serbia, signaling the start of a conflict that would leave a lasting imprint on the nation’s psyche. NATO’s Operation Allied Force, a 78-day bombing campaign, targeted military infrastructure but also devastated civilian areas. Bridges collapsed into rivers, residential blocks crumbled, and the iconic Radio Television of Serbia headquarters stood in ruins, with 16 journalists killed inside. Furthermore, the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was struck in what NATO later called a tragic mistake. More than two decades later, the impact of those days is still deeply felt. The bombing reinforced a narrative of victimhood and resilience, fueling lasting distrust of the West and shaping Serbia’s national identity in ways that continue to influence its politics, culture, and global outlook.
A Nation Scarred By War
For many Serbs, the NATO bombing is not just history; it is a wound that never fully healed. Day and night, the sky was filled with the roar of warplanes, and life was reduced to a cycle of fear, uncertainty, and survival. Families sought refuge in basements, unsure if their homes would still be standing by morning. Beyond the immediate destruction, the bombing left long-term scars. The attack on civilian infrastructure, bridges, factories, and power plants plunged the country into darkness, while airstrikes on hospitals and residential areas deepened public outrage. Moreover, the bombing of RTS headquarters, seen by many as a deliberate strike on Serbian media, turned the war into something even more personal.
Even today, concerns persist over the lingering effects of depleted uranium munitions allegedly used by NATO. Many believe that rising cancer rates in Serbia stem from the environmental damage caused during those months, fueling a deep sense of injustice and unresolved anger. As a result, the bombing reinforced Serbia’s perception of itself as a nation that suffered unjustly at the hands of global powers. While NATO framed the intervention as a humanitarian mission to stop the Kosovo conflict, it is widely seen in Serbia as an act of aggression that left thousands of civilians dead or displaced. This perception has further strengthened a lasting “us versus them” mentality, where the West is viewed not as a protector but as an aggressor.
The Myth of Defiance: Serbia Against the World
While the bombing is seen as a tragedy, it has also been woven into a narrative of defiance and survival. Despite weeks of relentless attacks, the Yugoslav army remained largely intact, and NATO was ultimately forced into negotiations rather than imposing a direct military defeat. To many Serbs, this is proof that their country stood its ground against the world’s most powerful military alliance. This belief is reinforced through memorials, patriotic songs, and national discourse, where those who resisted NATO are honored as symbols of Serbian resilience. Over time, this sentiment has evolved into the “Serbia Against the World” mentality, a deeply ingrained idea that Serbia, though small, is unbreakable. Many believe that their country was not truly defeated in 1999 but rather forced into a settlement under immense pressure. Consequently, this sense of defiance continues to shape national pride, reinforcing the idea that Serbia has always been, and will always be, a nation that refuses to bow to foreign powers.
A Lasting Distrust of the West
Perhaps the most enduring consequence of the NATO bombing is Serbia’s deep skepticism toward NATO and Western institutions. Even though NATO later expressed regret for civilian casualties, many Serbs still see the alliance as an enemy rather than a peacekeeping force. Unlike most of its neighbors, Serbia has never pursued NATO membership, and public opinion remains overwhelmingly against it.
Instead, Serbia has forged closer ties with Russia and China, both of which opposed NATO’s actions in 1999. Russia, in particular, has positioned itself as Serbia’s historical ally, supporting its refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence. As a result, Serbia remains one of the most NATO-skeptical nations in Europe, with many viewing Russia and China as more reliable partners that respect Serbian sovereignty without the history of military intervention.
A War Remembered: The Bombing in Serbian Culture
The events of 1999 remain deeply embedded in Serbian culture and national memory. The bombing is not just history; it is kept alive through music, film, and public commemorations. Every year on March 24, Serbia pauses to remember the first night of airstrikes, lighting candles and holding ceremonies in cities across the country. A short walk through Belgrade is enough to reveal the enduring memory of 1999: anti-NATO graffiti still covers the streets, while government-funded museums preserve the destruction, ensuring that new generations never forget. Films like The Load by Ognjen Glavonić (2018), nominated at the Cannes Film Festival, offer a subtle yet powerful reflection on daily life unfolding amid larger historical events. Likewise, 78 Days by Emilija Gašić (2024) presents a deeply human perspective on the bombing, capturing both personal and collective trauma. Rather than focusing on politics, it tells the story through the intimate experiences of those who lived through it.
At the same time, music continues to keep the memory alive. The legendary Serbian rock band Riblja Čorba expressed the nation’s pain in their song Decu ti neću oprostiti (I Will Not Forgive You for the Children), a direct response to the civilian casualties of the NATO bombings. With its emotional lyrics, the song mourns the innocent lives lost and reflects the deep scars the war left on Serbian society. The bombing is more than a tragic event; it has become a defining chapter in Serbia’s national story, a reminder of suffering, survival, and resistance.
A Defining Moment in Serbian Identity and Its Future
The NATO bombing of Serbia was more than a military campaign: it was a turning point in Serbian identity. Over two decades later, its effects are still visible in politics, culture, and public perception. The trauma of 1999 reinforced Serbia’s distrust of the West, strengthened its alliances with Russia and China, and shaped a national narrative of defiance and perseverance.
Yet today, Serbia finds itself at a crossroads. The country is torn between its historical alliances and its aspirations for a future in the European Union. On the one hand, Serbia seeks economic cooperation with the West. On the other hand, its deep-rooted skepticism toward NATO and Western intervention remains a major obstacle in fully aligning with Europe. At the same time, its ties to Russia have come under new scrutiny, especially in light of shifting global politics and regional security concerns.
As Serbia navigates its place in an increasingly polarized world, the memory of 1999 continues to shape political discourse. The debate over the country’s future, between deepening ties with the EU or maintaining strong relations with Russia, remains unresolved, and the emotional weight of the NATO bombing still looms large. In a time when Serbia is at a turning point, both domestically and internationally, the legacy of the NATO bombing may be far more present than we think, 26 years later.
