The United States has contributed seven drones to the Kosovo Police and the Police Inspectorate, intended for surveillance and tactical missions. This donation was highlighted by the U.S. Ambassador in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, during a signing ceremony in Pristina.

Hovenier emphasized that this recent aid from the United States to Kosovo’s law enforcement institutions underscores their “long-term commitment to the development of the Kosovo Police”.

He further stated that this donation demonstrates the U.S.’s confidence in Kosovo’s ability to independently carry out missions in the fight against drug trafficking and law enforcement.

The donation comes in the wake of a recent attack on the Kosovo Police by a group of armed Serbs in the village of Banjska, resulting in the tragic death of a police officer, Afrim Bunjaku.

“These unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to be a critical asset for Kosovo’s law enforcement agencies in their efforts to combat criminal activities both on land and in the air, particularly considering the extent of organized criminal activities in the region,” explained Hovenier.

The Kosovo Police had previously utilized drones to capture and identify the organizer of the Banjska attack, Milan Radojičić, who later claimed responsibility for the assault.

Gazmend Hoxha, the General Director of the Kosovo Police, expressed their commitment to making the best use of the donated drones to enhance the safety and security of all Kosovo citizens.

“This donation is anticipated to significantly bolster the police’s operational capabilities, including border monitoring and various investigative activities that the Kosovo Police will undertake in the future,” stated Hoxha.

Serbia has dismissed Kosovo’s accusations that it stands behind the attack, which Kosovo authorities describe as an “attempt to annex north Kosovo”.

On October 3, Radojičić, the former head of the Serb List, the leading party of Serbs in Kosovo with the support of Belgrade, was arrested in Serbia, questioned, and ordered to be held in police custody for up to 48 hours before being released a day later.