Croatia marks 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja FAST-MOVING

Operation Oluja 31st anniversary Croatia commemoration flags

Across Croatia and neighboring regions, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 military operation Oluja was commemorated on 5 August 2026. Ceremonies were held in towns such as Sisak, Komarevo, Mahovo, Lekenik, Vir, Kaštela, Knin, Nova Gradiška, Seget Donji and many others, featuring wreath‑laying, candle lighting, flag‑raising, concerts and speeches. Minister of Veterans Tomo Medved highlighted the importance of raising the Croatian flag, while the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV) called for a responsible, inclusive remembrance. The Republic of Srpska declared 4 August 2026 a Day of Mourning for the victims of Oluja. Montenegro’s ambassador attended the central ceremony in Knin, prompting criticism from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who denounced the decision as a political stunt. Local officials, veteran organisations and cultural groups marked the day with a mix of solemn tributes and festive events, underscoring the operation’s lasting significance in the region.

Entities: Aleksandar Vučić · Antun Han · Ban Jelačić Square · Boris Milošević · City of Rijeka · City of Split · Croatia · Croatian Armed Forces · Croatian Government · Croatian Ministry of Defence · Croatian veterans · Darko Fanuko

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Croatian SDSS MP Anja Šimpraga, Serbian embassy representatives, and other political figures attended the ceremony. (Article 92504659-0d6d-44f5-bcf4-a99c47e8edcf)
[● 4 SOURCES] Vesna Teršelič, director of Documenta – Center for Confronting the Past, spoke at the Komić commemoration. (All articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Croatian Constitutional Court recently ruled that investigations into a similar war crime in Uzdolje were ineffective. (Article 92504659-0d6d-44f5-bcf4-a99c47e8edcf)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The SNV called for cooperation between Croatia and Serbia to investigate missing persons and prosecute war crimes. (Article 92504659-0d6d-44f5-bcf4-a99c47e8edcf)
[● 6 SOURCES] No prosecutions have been brought against the perpetrators of the Komić crimes more than three decades after the events. (SNV statements)
[● 4 SOURCES] Boris Milošević, president of the SNV, said investigations have stalled and called for prosecutions of the Komić war crimes. (All articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] Eight Serbian civilians were killed in Komić in the summer of 1995, including Sava Lavrnić, her son Petar, and Marija Brkljač who was burned alive. (All articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] The Serbian National Council held a commemoration ceremony in Komić on 3 August 2026. (All articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Bosnian Deputy Defence Minister Slaven Galić highlighted HVO contributions to the victory in Operation Oluja. (Social‑media post by Slaven Galić)
[○ 1 SOURCE] During Operation Oluja, 121 Croatian soldiers were killed on the first day, 245 total deaths and about 1 100 wounded. (HRT program interview with veterans)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Operation Oluja liberated about 14 % of Croatia’s territory in August 1995. (HRT program on the anniversary)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A photo exhibition titled “Mojoj lijepoj zemlji Hrvatskoj” opened in Senj to mark the anniversary. (Local news report)