The Wars in the Balkans

This window was struck by a sniper’s bullet while traveling down the main thoroughfare in downtown Sarajevo in 1993. The round impacted directly across from the driver’s (Srdjan Jovovic) head, but fortunately didn’t penetrate the glass. It was most likely from an AK-47 and originated from Grbavica, the Bosnian-Serb controlled section of the city. Snipers often operated in the mostly abandoned high-rise buildings located on the Grbavica side of the Miljacka River.

The window was part of an armored car purchased from the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) – now the Police Service of Northern Ireland – to protect CNN crews from sniper fire during the War in Bosnia. Prior to acquiring the vehicle, CNN photojournalist Margret Moth had been hit by a sniper while traveling in an unarmored car on the way to the airport in Sarajevo. This particular car was hit nine times by sniper fire while traveling the roads around the Balkans. Once it was even stopped when a fifty caliber bullet took out a piece of the engine. When a bullet-resistant window is impacted by a round, the effectiveness of the glass is diminished, requiring the glass be replaced. CNN replaced two windows in this vehicle before it was retired.

Later on in the conflict, Nic Roberson was tasked with getting a new armored car. With research and experience, he was able to design a new vehicle customized specifically for CNN’s needs in the field, which is still in use today.