Ministry of Defence officials mark the 17th anniversary of the tragic Slovak Air Force Antonov AN-24 crash

The 41 Slovak service personnel and 1 civil servant who died in the crash of the Slovak Air Force Antonov AN-24 transport aircraft while returning home from their NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) tour of duty 17 years ago were honoured in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Reconciliation Memorial at the Ministry of Defence today, in the presence of Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď and top Defence officials.

Sharing his thoughts in front of the gathered audience, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: ”A lot of good things have been accomplished over the past 30 years of Slovakiaʼs existence. However, there have also occurred a number of tragedies which have become indelibly engraved in our hearts. Sadly, one of them was the Slovak Air Force Antonov AN-24 crash in which our wonderful colleagues, friends and loved relatives perished, leaving behind a deep emptiness. We pledge never to forget them, and we are grateful to them for their good actions in their selfless service to others. For us, they will always be the light towards which we will be drawn in our thoughts.“

In 2020, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď had the Service Inquiry Report into the Antonov AN-24 Incident declassified. In October 2022, Jaroslav Naď fulfilled yet another of his promises when he joined the family members of the victims in visiting the places where they served and lived in Kosovo.

The tragedy of 19 January 2006 claimed the lives of 42 colleagues (3 women and 39 men) in Defence. That day, the Slovak Air Force Antonov AN-24 (Serial Number 5605), which was en route from Pristina in Kosovo to Košice in Slovakia, crashed into Borsó Hill at the village of Hejce in Hungary.

It was there yesterday morning that members of Slovak Armed Forces personnel took part in a traditional March of Honour from the Hungarian village of Hejce to the memorial place at the site of the crash on top of Borsó Hill, where they took a moment to remember and light up candles for their 42 fellow colleagues who gave their lives in the service of their country.

Slovak servicemen and women served in KFOR on a rotational basis for nearly 11 years, from 1999 to 2010. A total of 2004 military personnel – tasked with protecting all ethnic groups, ensuring freedom of movement along the main supply routes, monitoring the situation in the country, and delivering humanitarian aid – rotated in and out of KFOR over the given period.

That the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo is of great added value even today is best evidenced by the fact that KFOR troops have continually contributed to enhancing peace and security in the country to date.