Croatia commemorates 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja and Victory Day FAST-MOVING

On 5 August 2026 Croatia marked the national holiday Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti (Victory and Homeland Gratitude Day) and the 31st anniversary of the 1995 military operation Oluja. State ceremonies were held in Knin, where the Croatian flag was raised on the fortress and officials—including President of the Parliament Gordan Jandroković and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić—delivered speeches praising the veterans and underscoring the operation’s role in securing Croatia’s independence.

Local commemorations took place across the country: Varaždin, Senj, Dubrovnik, Orahovica and other towns organised wreath‑laying, concerts and public gatherings. A monument to fallen defenders was unveiled in Hrvatska Dubica, and singer Marko Perković Thompson performed in Šibenik before more than 27 000 people, honouring the veterans and the younger generation. Municipal leaders, veteran associations and cultural groups participated in candle‑lit vigils, concerts and exhibitions, reinforcing the day’s historic and patriotic significance.