The heroic fighter pilot who defected to Croatian side remembered
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Rudolf Perešin remembered today (Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
Brigadier General Rudolf Perešin was a Croatian fighter pilot in the Yugoslav Air Force who defected to the Croatian side, famously flying his MiG-21 from Bihać Air Base to Austria while on a reconnaissance mission. He was the first to break away from the Yugoslav Air Force in this manner.
Today, in Ivanić-Grad, the 20th Rudolf Perešin Memorial, marking the 33rd anniversary of Perešin’s historic MiG-21 flight from Bihać to Austria on 25 October 1991.
Croatia’s Minister of Defence, Ivan Anušić, noted that commemorating Perešin’s flight honours one of the most revered chapters in Croatian history.
Recalling 1991, he highlighted Perešin’s heroic act, a memory that has stayed with him.
“I remember that achievement vividly. At the time, battlefronts were strained, and we were facing heavy losses, but Rudolf’s bravery gave us all renewed strength, both symbolic and literal, to continue our fight for independence,” he said.
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
Anušić went on to reflect on Perešin’s commitment throughout the Homeland War, his readiness to serve Croatia, and his willingness to share his expertise.
“Pilots were few, and aircraft were scarce then,” he recalled, citing Perešin’s famous words: “I am Croatian; I cannot and will not fire upon Croatians.”
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
“Rudolf Perešin is one of the true heroes of the Homeland War, and we must never forget him. I’m pleased to see so many people here, especially young people, learning about their history and heroes like Perešin,” Anušić said in Ivanić-Grad, affirming that Perešin’s legacy would continue to inspire every person devoted to Croatia and its people.
Perešin: “I am Croatian! I cannot and will not fire upon Croatians.”
The Rudolf Perešin Memorial, held annually, commemorates Perešin’s flight from Bihać to Klagenfurt and his subsequent defection to the Croatian side, symbolising his fight and sacrifice for Croatia.
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
As part of the event, a Croatian Air Force Rafale jet performed a symbolic flyover above Ivanić-Grad, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Perešin’s memorial bust.
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
Brigadier General Perešin became widely remembered for his words, “I am Croatian! I cannot and will not fire upon Croatians,” when he defected on 25 October 1991 in his MiG-21 from Bihać to Klagenfurt amidst one of the war’s most challenging periods. Immediately after, he joined the fight for Croatia as a combat pilot.
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
Perešin tragically lost his life during the Flash military-police operation when enemy forces downed his MiG-21. He served as the commander of the 21st Fighter Squadron of the 91st Pleso Airbase and took part in all Croatian Air Force combat operations. His remains were repatriated on 4 August 1997 and buried with full military honours at Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb on 15 September that year.
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
In May 2019, Perešin’s MiG-21, tail number “26 112”—the very plane he flew to Klagenfurt in October 1991—was returned to Croatia after 28 years in the Austrian Air Force Museum in Zeltweg.
(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)
Displayed outside the Ministry of Defence in May and June 2019, the aircraft attracted many visitors and tourists, eager to see this significant piece of Croatian history.
The MiG-21 aircraft flown by Rudolf Perešin (Photo credit: MORH / J. Kopi)
