As Yugoslavia began to break down, the Balkans conflict began - a series of brutal wars characterised by disputes over territory, identity, and ethnic divisions.

In 1991, the Croatian War of Independence started – the first of the major wars. One of its defining moments came in October, when the Yugoslav People’s Army advanced on the south of the country leading to the Siege of Dubrovnik.

One of the Yugoslav People’s Army commanders in the region was Rear Admiral Krsto Durović, a Montenegrin who had spent his life working in Croatia, married a Croatian and planned to retire to the country.

Attacking Dubrovnik was unthinkable for the Rear Admiral, and he promised the city’s major: “As long as I am the commander, not a single shell will fall on Dubrovnik."

Shortly afterwards he was killed in a suspicious helicopter crash – his superiors claimed he was shot down, but there were no opposition forces in the area, and Croatian officials denied any part in the crash.

There was never an autopsy and no military investigation. Soon after, Miodrag Jokic was appointed Durović’s replacement, and a vicious bombing campaign began which would later see Jokic convicted of war crimes.

Johnny I’Anson speaks to Montenegrin journalist Veseljko Koprivica, and documentary maker Mladen Ivanovic who say Rear Admiral Đurović’s refusal to bomb Dubrovnik may have led to his untimely death.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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(Photo: Rear Admiral Durović. Credit: Durović family)

Eva Lau from Two Small Fish Ventures