Bratislav Živković, a leader of Serbian Chetniks who played a key role in organizing barricades in northern Kosovo and recruiting Serbian mercenaries for the war in Ukraine, has been killed during a Russian counteroffensive in the Kursk region, reports KosovaPress.
Živković, a 42-year-old Chetnik commander, gained notoriety for his involvement in pro-Russian separatist activities in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions in 2014 and 2015. He had previously claimed to be the only Serbian commander to organize Chetnik units and bring them to Crimea in 2014, later participating in the defense of Luhansk and Donetsk.
In 2018, Živković was arrested in Serbia for allegedly recruiting Serbian nationals to fight in Ukraine, offering them 200 euros per month. Ukrainian prosecutors had also been investigating his involvement in attacks against Ukrainian forces in eastern provinces.
Past Controversies and Expulsion from Romania
Živković faced multiple legal issues throughout his career. In 2017, Romania expelled him and barred his entry for 15 years, citing national security risks after he was caught spying on military radars along the Black Sea coast.
Connection to Kosovo Barricades
Security expert Agim Musliu described Živković as a proxy of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Musliu noted that Živković’s pro-Russian activities began in 2012 during the Serbian barricades in northern Kosovo, marking his emergence as a staunch supporter of Russian influence in the Balkans.
NATO and Regional Restrictions
Živković had been banned from entering 15 NATO member states due to his activities. Despite these restrictions, he continued to play a prominent role in Serbian nationalist and pro-Russian movements.
Death and Legacy
His death was reported by both Ukrainian and Serbian media, marking the end of a controversial figure deeply entwined in regional conflicts and Russia’s military campaigns.
