The Defense Minister spoke emotionally about remembering the fallen, his own wartime path in eastern Slavonia, and his relationship with the Chief of the General Staff, and also commented on the arrival of Montenegrin representatives and criticism from Aleksandar Vučić.
Ahead of the central celebration of the military-police operation Storm, Defense Minister Ivan Anušić arrived in Knin and shared his emotional memories in an interview with RTL Danas. He particularly highlighted the moments of raising the flag at the Knin Fortress and reading the names of fallen and missing defenders, which always deeply move him.
"Of course, it is an emotional moment because we remember those who were with us and who are not here today to experience the time of freedom. We live in a free Croatia today and enjoy all those benefits, but they are not with us. Every moment we remember and mention them is emotional for all of us and for the whole of Croatia," Anušić said.
The Minister revealed that the Storm caught him far from the front in Dalmatia. "I was in eastern Slavonia. Our units were waiting for an operation that was supposed to be called Grom and the liberation of eastern Slavonia," he recalled. When asked directly whether he regrets not being part of that historic operation, he answered affirmatively.
"Of course I regret it. Both as a soldier and as someone who was there the whole time since 1991. When we talk about Slavonia, of course, the territory you lost in the war, in battles and fights, should be returned in the same way. We did not return it in that way, but through peaceful reintegration, which ultimately turned out to be a better solution because there would have been many casualties on our side. But we would certainly have accomplished that task as well," he stated.
He emphasized that the most important thing is that Croatia is free and territorially whole today. "We have experienced the dream of those who did not experience it, but gave their lives for that goal. We must respect, appreciate, and value that," he said.
Three hundred members of the Croatian Army will participate in the commemoration of August 5, 2026, and the entire program is, according to the Minister, rehearsed down to the smallest detail. For the third year in a row, citizens will be able to see the Rafale flyover.
"We will see the flyover of three Rafales during the minute of silence. One Rafale will return and demonstrate all the capabilities that our pilots can perform at this moment," Anušić announced. In addition to the flight program, visitors can also expect an exhibition of military equipment, including the TTS BOR, and demonstration exercises by special forces in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior, as well as parachute jumps. The Minister particularly emphasized the focus on the youngest, to bring the profession of a Croatian soldier closer to them.
He also commented on his relationship with the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Tihomir Kundid, following earlier statements by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković about a loss of confidence. Anušić claims there are no more frictions.
"No, it's not. It's resolved; the situation that existed is over. We stated our positions and we still stick to them, as does the Prime Minister. We must continue working. We must work in the interest of the Armed Forces, the Croatian Army, the state, and the people. There is no room for a standstill in carrying out tasks, obligations, and everything we do. For the first time in 31 years, we are modernizing the Armed Forces, and that is the primary and main interest. Everything else is secondary," he stated.
The Minister welcomed Montenegro's decision to send its representatives to the celebration in Knin this year, a move that drew criticism from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. "Croatia expects Montenegro to do this, and I congratulate them on that decision. They are welcome. If Montenegro wants to be a member of the European Union and Euro-Atlantic integrations, then such behavior is expected," Anušić said.
He responded directly to Vučić's objections: "Aleksandar Vučić has the right to criticize Montenegro. He criticizes everything and anything, both us and Montenegro. That is his problem, and let him conduct his policy as he sees fit. We will conduct our policy as we see fit, and we will see who ends up where in the end."
