Belgrade retains scars of NATO bombing 20 years after conflict Twenty years after NATO's assault in 1999, Belgrade still bears the scars of bombs that struck buildings in the Serbian capital, including the former Ministry of Defence building and headquarters of the state broadcaster RTS, where 16 civilians were killed. The Alliance's 78-campaign was an effort to halt Serbia's crackdown on separatist Kosovo, a former province that went on to declare independence. IMAGES of bombed buildings and memorials published ahead of the anniversary of the bombing which began on 24th March 1999