Anušić: They Targeted Children's Playgrounds

Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić gave an extensive interview for the central news program of HRT during the celebration of Victory Day and Homeland Gratitude and the Day of Croatian Defenders in Knin on August 5, 2026. In it, he drew a sharp parallel between the crimes committed against Croatian civilians and the humane treatment of enemy prisoners by Croatian forces during the Homeland War.

Anušić expressed satisfaction with the organization of the central ceremony, highlighting the diversity of the military power displayed. "In organizational terms, everything went well. We worked together on the organization. There were helicopters, the Krila Oluje acrobatic group performed, we saw Rafales, drones, and special forces," said Anušić. He specifically mentioned the Croatian defenders who, despite their age and health issues, endured two and a half hours in the extreme heat.

From an unarmed people to a victorious army

The Minister recalled the difficult beginnings of Croatia's defense. "In 1990, we were completely unarmed and unprotected, completely unprotected from European politics or the UN. We were left as someone whom the rebel Serb army should 'deal with,' as they, unfortunately, killed thousands of our civilians, defenders, women, and children," he said. Despite this, he emphasized that incredible courage, skill, and improvisation enabled the organization of the defense.

The key moment, according to Anušić, occurred in 1991. "We resisted, we stopped them in 1991 and broke their spine in Vukovar," he pointed out, adding that this allowed for preparations for the final liberation in 1995. "In the meantime, Europe and the world recognized us, and we resolved everything in two days. The feeling is indescribable; happy is the one who experiences that once in a lifetime."

Moral high ground: 402 murdered children versus bread and water

Anušić then presented one of the most harrowing statistics of the Homeland War. "During the Homeland War, 402 children were killed. They targeted children's playgrounds while children were playing. That is not done by accident; it is a mindset," he said. He contrasted this act with the treatment of prisoners by Croatian forces after the liberation of occupied territories.

"Four years later, when the Croats liberated everything, they brought them water and bread, clothed their soldiers, fed them, bathed them, and returned them to their families," said Anušić, drawing a clear moral line. He also recalled his own experience during Operation Bljesak, when his unit took in ten to fifteen soldiers who surrendered. "No one even looked at them, let alone did them any harm. They received everything they needed, were taken to their families, given civilian clothes, and went wherever they wanted."

In stark contrast, he called for a comparison with Croatian prisoners. "Look at our prisoners who returned, look at those who did not return, how they were massacred and what was done to them. That is the difference between us and some others," concluded Anušić.

Man is key; the Rafale is just a 'piece of steel'

Commenting on the modernization of the Croatian Army and the procurement of powerful fighter jets, the Minister of Defense sent a strong message about priorities. When asked if technology is crucial, he honestly replied: "To be honest, it is not, but it can help a lot. I would remind you of 1990 when we had nothing, we were under an embargo, and we still managed to win."

He emphasized that the human factor is irreplaceable. "Man is key; without him, there is nothing. A Rafale is nothing without a pilot; it's a 'piece of steel,'" he vividly described. He pointed out that the Ministry of Defense, alongside equipping the Armed Forces, takes care of the material rights and working conditions of its members, seriously raising the standard.

Finally, he sent a message about national unity as the foundation of strength. "What is crucial for the Croatian people is that when we are together, we are invincible, and whenever needed, that unity emerges," concluded Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić in an interview for HRT's Dnevnik.