Croatia commemorates Operation Storm (Oluja) anniversaries

In August 2026 Croatia marked the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Operation Storm (Oluja) with a series of national and local events. At the central ceremony in Knin, the Croatian flag was hoisted on the historic fortress and speeches were delivered by Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, praising veterans and emphasizing the operation’s role in securing Croatia’s independence.

Across the country, towns such as Varaždin, Senj, Dubrovnik and Orahovica held wreath‑laying, concerts and candle‑lit vigils. A new monument to fallen defenders was unveiled in Hrvatska Dubica. Cultural performances included singer Mia Negovetić singing the national anthem, and Marko Perković Thompson performing before more than 27 000 people in Šibenik, honoring both veterans and younger generations.

Personal testimonies continued to be featured, with Milica, a former Gospić resident now living in Belgrade, recounting the terror and displacement she experienced as a child. Municipal leaders, veteran associations and cultural groups participated in exhibitions and public gatherings, reinforcing the day’s historic and patriotic significance while framing Operation Storm as a foundational moment for modern Croatia’s democratic and security role in Europe.