President Milanović Attends Military Parade Marking 30th Anniversary of the Military and Police Operation Storm
“What impresses me most are the people. The Croatian infantry formations — that’s what leaves the strongest impression, and that’s why we are here today. There will be equipment on display too — some from the war, older pieces, and some modern, newly acquired systems. But again, what stands out most are the people,” said the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović ahead of today’s ceremonial military parade in Zagreb, held to mark Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, the Day of Croatian Defenders, and the 30th anniversary of the military and police Operation Storm.
“We celebrate our victories — we do not hate anyone. We are fully aware, and I want those who come after us — those who were just children at the time — to understand that this was a victory won by Croatian soldiers, Croatian people, and the Croatian leadership of that era. It was achieved with minimal support from abroad — minimal and, for the most part, marked by obstruction. That only makes the victory all the greater. I’m not saying this out of bitterness or spite, but because it’s the truth. Croatia was fully in control of its own destiny and that is a lesson for the future. We do not live in isolation, we have allies, but in the end, we are our own bosses and must rely on ourselves. And I often repeat this: we are the only ones who truly care about Croatia,” he said.
As the Commander in Chief, President Milanović received the ceremonial report from the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, and issued the order for the parade to commence.
The parade then proceeded down Vukovar Street in Zagreb, featuring more than 3,400 members of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Protection Directorate, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, the Judicial Police, the Croatian Firefighting Association, Croatian war veterans, historical military units, and representatives of Allied armed forces.
In addition to infantry formations, the parade included motorized and mechanized units, with more than 500 combat and non-combat vehicles. A flyover featured more than 40 aircraft from the Croatian Air Force and the Ministry of the Interior, including helicopters, aircraft, and — for the first time — Rafale multi-role fighter jets.
Spectators and guests were also able to view a naval parade of Croatian Navy vessels on video screens, showcasing the strength and capabilities of Croatia’s maritime forces.
The event highlighted new weapons systems and modern military equipment, including Bayraktar drones, Leopard tanks, and FPV drones, underscoring the Croatian Army’s technological advancement and the ongoing development of its defense capabilities.
In a particularly symbolic moment, Croatian war veterans and wounded veterans of the Homeland War proudly carried the Croatian flag from the Knin Fortress, and ceremonially handed it over to cadets of the Croatian Armed Forces — a powerful gesture of passing on honour, tradition, and responsibility to the next generation.
For the first time, the parade also featured an infantry formation of foreign armed forces, who carried the flags of their respective nations as a symbol of friendship and alliance.
The youngest participants were conscripts from the Croatian Army, and the parade also saw the participation of 217 women, members of the Armed Forces. The youngest participant was 18 years old, and the oldest was 63.
Alongside the many spectators and veterans of the Homeland War, the entire state and military leadership attended the parade, as did representatives from religious communities, the academic sector, local and regional governments, the business community, sports and culture, members of the diplomatic corps, and foreign military delegations.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić & Tomislav Bušljeta