Film About Croat Fighter Pilot Who Took Historical Flight In 1991

A film about a Croatian fighter pilot in the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) who defected from his Zeljava Air Base to Klagenfurt, Austria in 1991, during a reconnaissance flight because he wanted to help his homeland Croatia during the Croatian War of Independence, is to be shown in Zagreb tonight.

Rudolf Peresin was the first pilot to desert from the JNA. He was shot down in 1995 by Serbian Krajina military forces resulting in his death. Viewers will have a chance to see an interview with Peresin which has never been released before about his flight to Klagenfurt airport on 25 October 1991.

Peresin landed and reported himself to Austrian authorities, telling them he was a Croat and that he does not want to fight against his own people. The news made international headlines at the time.

The film will be shown as part of an exhibition titled “Storm in miniatures” at the Technical museum in Zagreb.