Montenegro Protests Kosovo Over Alleged Border Shootings Near Hajlla-Shtedim Ski Resort

Diplomatic Protest Issued

Montenegro's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a verbal note to the Kosovo Embassy in Podgorica on Monday, September 29, 2025, regarding alleged gunfire originating from the Kosovo side of the border. The diplomatic action follows incidents near the Hajlla-Shtedim ski resort, where infrastructure has reportedly been damaged by firearms.

Details of Border Incidents

The protest note addresses at least two distinct incidents of damage to the facilities of the Hajlla-Shtedim ski center, which is located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the border with Kosovo in the Montenegrin municipality of Rožaje.

• The first incident occurred in July 2024, when damage was observed in a cabin of the ski center. The Rožaja Prosecutor's Office subsequently opened a case for this event.
• A second incident took place on August 24, 2025, involving shots fired at another ski center facility. Following this, the prosecution is expected to initiate a case once the police investigation is complete.

Montenegrin authorities suspect that in both instances, the shots were fired from Kosovo territory. The ski center, which is still under construction, has been under 24-hour police guard since July 9, 2025, due to 'operational information that the entire infrastructure could be at risk.'

Montenegro's Demands and Bilateral Relations

In its verbal note, Montenegro has formally requested that the competent bodies of the Republic of Kosovo identify and prosecute the perpetrators responsible for these incidents. Furthermore, Montenegro expects to be notified of all measures and actions taken by Kosovo. The Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Ervin Ibrahimović, has characterized these events as 'isolated incidents.' The Ministry stated that they 'do not reflect the clear commitment of our two countries to strengthening regional cooperation and further improving bilateral relations.'

The verbal note was issued after repeated incidents recorded by the police in Rožaje, and the Kosovo ambassador was also officially informed about the incidents on September 22, 2025. Montenegro also underscored the importance of implementing three bilateral agreements, including the 2015 border demarcation agreement between the two states.

Kosovo's Initial Response

Regarding the incidents, Fadil Gashi from the Kosovo Police for the Peja region indicated that there was no information about security incidents on the border with Montenegro. He emphasized that the regional police's focus is primarily on 'maintaining public order and peace,' rather than international incidents. Responses from the central directorate of the Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Government were pending at the time of reporting.