Vučić Fires Back at Anušić
Serbian President responds to Croatian Defense Minister's remark that he regrets not taking part in Operation Storm.
Serbian President responds to Croatian Defense Minister's remark that he regrets not taking part in Operation Storm.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has sharply responded to Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, who expressed regret that he did not personally take part in the military-police operation Storm. Vučić made the remarks on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, at the Palace of Serbia, where he received young athletes and answered questions from journalists.
"I believe him when he says he regrets not taking part in 'Storm.' I regret that it happened, while he regrets not personally taking part in the persecution of Serbs," said Vučić. He stressed that he is not impressed by Croatian actions, adding: "If that is all they have left to boast about, let them continue."
In his address, Vučić recalled the human losses and displacement during Operation Storm, mentioning the mother of Siniša Dobrić. "When you just look at Siniša Dobrić's mother, it's too much. They will never understand that," he said, alluding to the suffering of the families of the victims.
According to data cited by Kurir.rs, during Operation Storm, thousands of Serbs were killed or went missing, and more than 250,000 were expelled from their centuries-old homes. The Serbian president did not hide his indignation, accusing Croatia of tolerating fascist salutes. "Let them do their job, I congratulate them on their fascist salutes, which do not exist anywhere else in Europe. Everything is allowed to those who are against Serbs," Vučić said.
He also commented on the atmosphere at concerts by Croatian singer Thompson. "As for the Croats, I congratulate them on the Nazi salutes at Thompson's concerts!" added Vučić, linking current social phenomena in Croatia with what he described as continuous hostility towards Serbs.
Defense Minister Ivan Anušić earlier told Croatian RTL that Operation Storm caught him in Eastern Slavonia, where Croatian forces were awaiting the start of another military operation called Grom. He expressed regret that he did not take part in Storm itself. He also, in response to Vučić's criticism of Montenegro, sent a message that it remains to be seen "who will end up where in the end."
This verbal clash further strains relations between Belgrade and Zagreb, which are already burdened by differing interpretations of the events of the 1990s.
