# Croatian Operation Oluja commemorations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-veterans-sports-events > Updated: 2026-08-02T13:07:28.000Z. Sources: 87. Developments: 11. June 2026 began with youth football tournaments in Slatine and Kozica, flower tributes and HVIDR participation, followed by the 12th “Ivan Makar – Mali” tournament in Belica and the two‑day “Robert Semion” competition in Mrkoplj, each paired with community meals and local entertainment. Later that month, Biograd na Moru held a memorial run for fallen defender Jozo Tomić, and Osijek marked the 35th anniversary of its wartime defenders with a two‑day programme that included the “Crveni fićo” run, military parades, wreath‑laying and street renamings. July saw a multi‑sport tournament for more than 200 veterans in Kastav and a mini‑football remembrance in Brezje. The national Day of Victory on 5 August featured wreath‑laying, torch‑lighting and a three‑day veteran sports tournament in Virovitica County. On 2 August 2026, the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Operation Oluja was commemorated across Croatia and neighboring regions. Ceremonies in towns such as Sisak, Komarevo, Mahovo, Lekenik, Vir, Kaštela, Knin, Nova Gradiška and Seget Donji included wreath‑laying, candle lighting, flag‑raising, concerts and speeches. Minister of Veterans Tomo Medved highlighted the flag‑raising, while the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina called for an inclusive remembrance. The Republic of Srpska declared 4 August a Day of Mourning, and Montenegro’s ambassador’s attendance in Knin drew criticism from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. On 4 August, Minister Medved unveiled a monument in Hrvatska Dubica honoring 39 Croatian defenders who fell during Operation Oluja. The same day, a 20‑metre Croatian flag was raised on the Knin fortress, recalling the 1995 removal of the Serbian flag, accompanied by speeches, military displays and cadet participation. ## Claims - The 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja was observed on 4‑5 August 2026. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Croatian towns held wreath‑laying ceremonies, masses, concerts and other events to mark the anniversary. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja was commemorated on 5‑6 August 2026 in multiple Croatian towns. (corroborated by 7 sources) - No prosecutions have been brought against the perpetrators of the Komić crimes more than three decades after the events. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Eight Serbian civilians were killed in Komić in the summer of 1995, including 93‑year‑old Sava Lavrnić, her son Petar, and Marija Brkljač who was burned alive. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Croatia commemorated the 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja on 5 August 2026. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Local ceremonies honoring the victims and veterans of Operation Oluja were held in Vir, Knin, Petrinja, Našice, Brašćine and other towns. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Local ceremonies in towns such as Sisak, Komarevo, Mahovo, Lekenik, Vir, Kaštela, Knin and others included wreath‑laying, candle lighting and flag‑raising. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Serbian National Council held a commemoration ceremony in Komić on 3 August 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Boris Milošević, president of the SNV, said investigations have stalled and called for prosecutions of the Komić war crimes. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Vesna Teršelič, director of Documenta – Center for Confronting the Past, spoke at the Komić commemoration. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: Croatia marks 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja Croatia and neighboring states marked the 31st anniversary of Operation Oluja on 5 August 2026 with nationwide ceremonies, flag‑raising, veteran speeches and diplomatic attendance, while Republika Srpska named 73 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-veterans-host-joint-sports-games-and-share-monument-with-partisans ### 2026-07-24: Veteran memorial tournaments staged in Slavonia and Završje Podbelsko, Croatia Croatia held two veteran‑memorial tournaments in May and August 2026 – a chess event in Slavonski Brod and a mini‑football competition in Završje Podbelsko – both organized with Ministry of Veterans support. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veteran-memorial-tournaments-staged-in-slavonia-and-zavrje-podbelsko-croatia ### 2026-07-20: Croatian Memorial Football Tournaments Honor Fallen Heroes Croatia held two memorial football events—Osijek’s 32nd Antun Batinić cup and Pleternica’s Predrag Marketanović futsal tournament—honoring fallen local heroes and awarding local clubs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-memorial-football-tournaments-honor-fallen-heroes ### 2026-07-13: Croatian veterans gather for memorial sports tournament in Kastav Over 200 Croatian veterans competed in a Kastav memorial sports tournament, honoring fallen soldiers, while a parallel mini‑football event in Brezje remembered Goran Kolar. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-veterans-gather-for-memorial-sports-tournament-in-kastav ### 2026-06-29: Croatia Honors War Veterans in Memorial Races and Anniversary Ceremonies Memorial runs in Biograd na Moru honored fallen defender Jozo Tomić, while Osijek marked the 35th anniversary of its wartime brigade with ceremonies, speeches and street renamings. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-honors-war-veterans-in-memorial-races-and-anniversary-ceremonies ### 2026-06-19: Croatian towns host memorial football tournaments for fallen players Belica and Mrkoplj in Croatia held memorial football tournaments—12th for Ivan Makar and 1st for Robert Semion—bringing together local teams and supporters to honor the late players. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-towns-host-memorial-football-tournaments-for-fallen-players ### 2026-06-12: Croatian veteran memorials in Slatine and Kozica honor fallen war heroes Croatian communities staged memorials for veterans Ivan Gorenac and Ivan Medved, featuring a youth football tournament in Slatine and a bowling competition in Kozica. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-veteran-memorials-in-slatine-and-kozica-honor-fallen-war-heroes ### 2026-06-06: Pula hosts national Day of Croatian Female Veterans ceremony Nearly 800 female veterans convened in Pula for Croatia's Day of Female Veterans, with a parade and speeches by Deputy PM Tomo Medved and other officials honoring women’s role in the Homeland War. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pula-hosts-croatias-day-of-female-veterans ### 2026-06-06: Zagreb County veterans hold 24th sports games in Velika Gorica Around 200 Zagreb County war veterans competed in eight sports at the 24th HVIDRA games in Velika Gorica, serving as qualifiers for a national tournament. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-county-veterans-hold-24th-sports-games-in-velika-gorica ### 2026-05-31: Croatian veterans hold sports tournaments to mark Statehood Day Croatian veterans in Topusko and Petrijanic marked Statehood Day with sports tournaments, ceremonies and tributes to war heroes, highlighting community remembrance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-veterans-hold-sports-tournaments-to-mark-statehood-day ### 2026-05-25: Rijeka hosts 28th sports meeting for Croatian War veterans Rijeka’s Sports‑Recreation Centre hosted the 28th meeting of Croatian War veterans, featuring 11 sports, promoting health and memory, and announcing a new city department for veteran support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rijeka-hosts-28th-sports-meeting-for-croatian-war-veterans --- Cite as: Croatian Operation Oluja commemorations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/croatian-veterans-sports-events