General Marko Vukovic (born 1962) is a high-ranking Kresimirian military officer and the current Councillor for War, heading the Council for Defence. Appointed in 2020, he is a staunch ally of Blue Dawn leader Ari Stov and a proponent of modernizing the Kresimirian Army through the integration of digital warfare and automated surveillance.
Vukovic succeeded General Nikola Cicak, who departed the Council to serve as the full-time Chairman of Otonik Ordnance. Vukovic’s tenure has been defined by the hardening of the border with the Valkari States and the controversial use of the military to enforce the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act against domestic protesters.
Early Life and Military Career
Marko Vukovic was born in 1962 in Dubica, the historic garrison town in District VI. Born into a family with a lineage of service in the Imperial Vosti Army, he attended the prestigious University of Dubica-Viskogorje, graduating from the Loncar Institute for Strategy in 1984.
The Border Commander
Vukovic spent the majority of his early career in the Border Guard. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he commanded the “South-West Sector,” responsible for the volatile frontier with the Valkari States. He gained a reputation for tactical aggression, authorizing cross-border raids to dismantle the smuggling networks of the Zelen Cartel.
In 2014, Vukovic served as the operational commander for “Operation Southern Shield” during the Sprodvice Earthquakes. While he was praised by the Chancellory for maintaining order and preventing AFIM infiltration, he was heavily criticized by the BLF and international observers for prioritizing security blockades over the entry of humanitarian aid.
Councillor for War (2020–Present)
In 2020, following the resignation of General Nikola Cicak, Chancellor Kresimirovic IV appointed Vukovic as the new Councillor for War.
The “Smart Fortress” Doctrine
Vukovic is a leading advocate for the “Smart Fortress” military doctrine. This strategy emphasizes the integration of the military with the KresiX digital ecosystem managed by YakaSys.
- Drone Expansion: Under his leadership, the army has drastically increased its procurement of surveillance drones from Otonik Ordnance and YakaSys.
- Border Automation: He has overseen the installation of automated biometric turrets and sensors along the Boskenmark border, reducing the need for human patrols but increasing tensions with the southern neighbor.
Domestic Enforcement
Vukovic is a vocal defender of the military’s role in domestic security. He has rigorously enforced the 2018 Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, deploying army engineers to fortify SeverMin mines and National Energy dams against protesters from Northern Power. He frequently clashes with Senator Chwa Spas in the Assembly, dismissing calls to end mandatory conscription as “defeatism.”
Relationship with Otonik Ordnance
Vukovic maintains a close relationship with his predecessor, General Nikola Cicak, who now serves as the Chairman of Otonik Ordnance. The “revolving door” between the Council for Defence and the nation’s primary arms manufacturer has been a subject of criticism by the Civic Renewal Front. Critics allege that Vukovic prioritizes procurement contracts that benefit Otonik’s bottom line, purchasing heavy equipment that is ill-suited for the modern, asymmetric threats faced by the Republic.