Retired Major General Marinko Krešić, in a special N1 program marking the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, discussed the preparations, the course of the operation, and the relations at the top of the state.
Retired Major General and President of the Croatian Generals' Association, Marinko Krešić, was a guest on N1 television's special program marking the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm. On that occasion, he reflected on the key moments that led to the operation, dismissed common myths about foreign involvement, and commented on the strained relations between President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Krešić emphasized that the greatest responsibility for the wartime outcome lies with the Serbian side, which rejected all offered options for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. "The Serbian side bears the greatest responsibility because it refused to accept the peace offered by the Z4 plan. Had it accepted that plan, we would not have had Operation Storm. We would have had peace, but we would also have had a state within a state. When they rejected it, the only way was to carry out Operation Storm," Krešić said for N1.
He also recalled the period before the operation itself, noting that preparations began as early as the log revolution. He added that the most challenging part of preparing Operation Storm was gathering enough weaponry, which Croatia did not have in sufficient quantities. He particularly highlighted Operation Flash, carried out three months before Storm, which already demonstrated the strength of the Croatian Army. "By building the guard brigades, we gained strength and unity, and that strength was already shown three months before Storm in the military operation Flash," he said.
A particularly interesting part of the conversation concerned the air force at Croatia's disposal. Krešić dismissed claims that the Croatian Army entered Operation Storm with only a few defected aircraft. "If only three or four MiGs defected from the JNA to the Croatian side, where did the 26 MiGs come from that launched strikes on the rebel Serbs' command and communication centers at 5 a.m. that day?" he asked.
He explained that the guard brigades were equipped despite the arms embargo thanks to capable people who managed to procure the necessary weaponry. He also firmly denied rumors of direct American military involvement. "It was said that those air strikes at 5 a.m. (which began Operation Storm) were carried out by American forces. That's incredible. The Americans only asked to be present in the headquarters, where I also was, to monitor the course of events when Storm began, so there is no talk of US participation. We were partners, although we were not in NATO at the time," Krešić stated.
He added that the Croatian Army had American communication devices, but "still from the time of the Vietnam War." That technology allowed them to have real-time footage of the situation on the ground and avoid excessive shelling of buildings where civilians were located.
Speaking about whether Operation Storm would be a more complex operation today, Krešić highlighted the crucial role of the human factor. "We won with people, and with the technology and methods of modern warfare, such a way of fighting is certainly worth studying for future generations. Without the human factor, without a trained soldier, there is no victory. We set foot in every town and established order and discipline. There were some sporadic incidents later that we could not control, but during Operation Storm itself, everything was under control," he concluded.
He also commented on the relationship between President Milanović and Prime Minister Plenković, who did not communicate at the anniversary celebration in Knin. "I don't see anything good in that when people are not on good terms. The two of them must meet and come to an agreement because it's not time for debates about who is right, but rather time for Croatia to move forward," Krešić said.
He is particularly concerned that this conflict is being fought at the expense of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Tihomir Kundid, who, he says, has fallen out of favor because of it. "Without that bickering, he would certainly have reported to both the Parliament and the Government and the Commander-in-Chief. It is not good for the future of the Croatian Army that he is out of favor and unable to do his job. He is a hero of the Homeland War, in the Croatian Army since day one," he said.
Finally, he sent a vivid message to the two leaders: "It's time for them to sit down, and like when choosing a pope, let them lock themselves in and not come out until they release white smoke, discussing what they have to discuss."
