President Milanović Honours Fallen Defenders in “Una ‘95” Military Operation
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Military Operation “Una 95,” the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović laid wreaths at the monuments to the Croatian defenders in Dvor and Hrvatska Dubica.
“We have gathered here to pay tribute to the Croatian defenders who participated in this operation thirty years ago, which did not go as planned. That does not change anything; they are our people, this is our debt of honour, and it should be preserved and cherished in our hearts,” said President Milanović after laying a wreath in Hrvatska Dubica.
In the broader Pounje region of Croatia, units of the Croatian Army conducted Operation “Una” on 18 and 19 September 1995, crossing the Una and Sava rivers. The operation involved forces from the Zagreb and Bjelovar military districts, the 1st and 2nd Guards Brigades – “Tigers” and “Thunderbolts” – as well as the Croatian Air Force and Navy. It is estimated that around 1,500 Croatian soldiers participated in the operation, with about 50 killed and around 180 wounded. The 2nd Guards Brigade “Thunderbolts” suffered the heaviest losses, with 26 killed and about 100 wounded.
President Milanović was joined by Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković and the Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defense and National Security, Brigadier General Ivica Kranjčević, in paying tribute to the fallen Croatian soldiers at the monument in Dvor and at the memorial plaque to the fallen Thunderbolts in Hrvatska Dubica.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić