Vukovar: 35 years since the start of the 87-day battle

The Battle of Vukovar, a pivotal and violent episode of the Croatian War of Independence, began 35 years ago on August 25, 1991. The conflict saw the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and Serbian paramilitary forces launch a massive assault on the city, aiming to occupy eastern Croatia.

Despite being heavily outnumbered, approximately 1,800 Croatian defenders from the 204th Vukovar Brigade, the National Guard, and police volunteers resisted the onslaught for 87 days. The attacking forces utilized significant military hardware, including 30,000 soldiers, 1,600 armored vehicles, 60 aircraft, and 350 cannons. During the siege, the city faced constant bombardment, with up to 7,000 projectiles falling daily, and residents endured long periods without electricity, water, or food.

The resistance became a symbol of Croatian defense, notably at the Trpinjska Road, often referred to as the ‘Tank Graveyard’. The siege ended on November 18, 1991, when the city fell. Following the collapse of the defense, many defenders and civilians were taken to concentration camps or killed. The failure to quickly capture Vukovar and Osijek ultimately disrupted the JNA's broader strategic goal of occupying continental Croatia and reaching Zagreb.