Croatia is preparing to commemorate the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm with a series of official events in Knin on August 5, marking Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Defenders’ Day. The annual state ceremony honors the Croatian soldiers and civilians who participated in the country’s War of Independence, while paying tribute to those who were killed, went missing, or later passed away. The commemoration remains one of Croatia’s most significant national observances and is expected to draw government officials, veterans, military personnel and citizens from across the country.
The day’s program will begin with the traditional dawn march through the streets of Knin, followed by a memorial Mass and a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to the Croatian Victory. Families of fallen defenders, veterans’ organizations, senior state officials and representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Croatian National Assembly will participate in paying tribute to those who lost their lives during Operation Storm. The central ceremony will then take place at NK Dinara Stadium, with portions broadcast live from the historic Knin Fortress.
One of the most symbolic moments of the commemoration will be the raising of the Croatian flag at Knin Fortress, accompanied by the national anthem, church bells and ceremonial gun salutes. The program will also include speeches, a historical overview of Operation Storm and the reading of the names of the 245 Croatian defenders who were killed or remain missing during the military operation. To honor their sacrifice, 245 cadets from the Croatian Armed Forces and Police Academy will stand at the fortress, each representing one of those defenders.
The event will conclude with military and police capability demonstrations, an air display, public exhibitions of military equipment and a concert organized by the City of Knin. Similar commemorative events will be held throughout Croatia, while the government has encouraged citizens to display the national flag and observe the anniversary with dignity and respect. As every year, the ceremony serves not only as a remembrance of a defining chapter in Croatia’s modern history but also as a reflection of the country’s national identity and gratitude toward its veterans.
