Croatia marks 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja with nationwide commemorations
On 5 August 2026 Croatia observed the 31st anniversary of the 1995 military operation Oluja. A photomonograph titled “1995.” was presented in Knin, featuring more than a hundred photographs by war reporters Zoran Filipović and Matko Biljak. Government officials, including Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and Veterans Minister Tomo Medved, attended the ceremony and highlighted the operation’s role in restoring Croatia’s freedom.
Commemorative events were held across the country: wreaths and candles were laid in Vir, a new 30‑metre Croatian flag was hoisted over the bridge in Petrinja, and a memorial plaque in Brašćine was unveiled naming four fallen veterans and a civilian victim. Local authorities in Našice, Petrinja, Vir and other towns organised vigils and placed wreaths to honour the 245 veterans killed in the operation.
Political debate accompanied the celebrations. Zagreb’s main square was the focus of a dispute: the ruling HDZ claimed no Croatian flag was displayed, while the opposition platform Možemo insisted a flag was permanently mounted and additional flags would be added. The Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV) issued a statement urging responsible, inclusive remembrance and recalling the displacement of 25 killed and about 40 000 Croats during the war. Serbian SPO president Aleksandar Cvetković called the remembrance a warning for future reconciliation.
The government also announced a forthcoming law to improve the material status of veterans, and the Defence Minister expressed regret for not having taken part in the operation, saying peaceful reintegration would have been preferable.
Entities: Damir Buškulić · Damir Kumpar · Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV) · Igor Vučetić · Ivan Anušić · Kija Kockar · Marino Radović · Mate Bukovčan · Miro Bulj · Našice · Operation Oluja · Operation Oluja
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A photomonograph titled “1995.” containing over 100 photographs by war reporters Zoran Filipović and Matko Biljak was presented in Knin. (25b67be1-e272-4767-80fc-b5a04ffa9310)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Zagreb opposition coalition Možemo accused the ruling HDZ of lying about the absence of Croatian flags on Ban Jelačić Square. (Možemo statement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Defence Minister Ivan Anušić expressed regret for not having taken part in Operation Oluja and said peaceful reintegration was a better solution. (Interview with RTL Danas)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV) called for responsible, inclusive remembrance of Operation Oluja and warned against politicisation of the victims. (DSHV statement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Minister of Veterans Tomo Medved announced a forthcoming law to improve the material status of Croatian veterans. (Ministerial announcement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian influencer Kija Kockar received threatening messages after posting about the anniversary of Operation Oluja. (Social‑media incident)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A new memorial plaque in Brašćine lists the names of four fallen Croatian veterans and one civilian victim of the war. (Plaque unveiling)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A large Croatian flag was displayed on Ban Jelačić Square, contradicting HDZ’s claim that no flag was present. (Observation reported by Možemo)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Veterans Minister Tomo Medved announced a forthcoming law to improve the material status of Croatian veterans. (e5853277-39cc-4adc-a6bd-9e47f3c08b30)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wreaths and candles were laid in Vir on the anniversary, with local officials and veterans participating. (62b70ec9-92ff-41ac-af0f-17268a3ea246)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A 30‑metre Croatian flag was raised over the bridge in Petrinja on the anniversary. (2629bb16-97e5-432e-95da-1d2752dcd7bb)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said he regretted not participating in Operation Oluja and said peaceful reintegration would have been a better solution. (b7bfa999-1550-4b40-91cb-162b70af0d4f)