1999: The Big One

On July 12, 1999, 200 Russian airborne troops arrived in Yugoslavia to assist Serbia and occupied Pristina International Airport before the arrival of NATO forces just after the end of the Kosovo War. The incident grew into a tense stand-off with Russian forces as General Wesley Clark demanded that British General Sir Mike Jackson storm the airport with paratroopers, and this is where the Point of Divergence began. Jackson decided to comply with Clark's demand and ordered that paratroopers storm the airport with British armor and tanks piggybacking on the assault. This led to the Battle of Pristina and the beginning of a major conflict.