The Ministry of Defense denies Daut Haradinaj’s claims regarding the loss of the drone

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On October 17, 2024, Daut Haradinaj from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) appeared as a panelist on T7 television’s show “Pressing.”

During the discussion, he suggested that a drone from the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) may have been lost due to negligence by the relevant institutions.

“Their amateurism going out and taking pictures with drones, only to lose them overnight is both comical and a criminal offense. They lose them little by little…,” Haradinaj stated.

Haradinaj reiterated in his response, adding, “We need to call in this minister (referring to KSF Minister Ejup Maqedonci) who’s coming out with record numbers, to explain to us what happened and how it happened… This is 1 billion percent true; that gentleman knows better… they’ve lost the drone.”

Following Haradinaj’s statement, Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kosovo responded the next day with a statement on its official Facebook page, denying Haradinaj’s claim about the lost drone.

The Ministry of Defense stated: “While false news spreads through television studios without understanding the weight of words regarding the country’s security, we inform citizens that claims about the loss of any drone are also false. On the contrary, the fleet of reconnaissance and attack drones has increased since the initial purchase and continues to grow. As for supply issues, we assure you that we are continuously receiving supplies of weapon systems and military equipment.”

The Ministry of Defense added: “The sensitivity of the procurement and supply process legally restricts the level of information we can share with the public without providing too many details. However, the numerous activities of the KSF are evident, where the most modern weaponry and systems that the KSF has been supplied with and continues to receive are being used. More are coming, and all meet NATO standards.”

The first contingent of “Bayraktar” TB-2 drones was showcased on July 16, 2023. In total, six such drones have been added to the KSF’s arsenal.

*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”