Ahead of the central celebration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, the Veterans' Minister reveals a plan to correct an injustice over two decades old and confirms Rafales will fly over liberated areas.
Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved announced that the Government will submit a bill to Parliament during the autumn session to abolish the reduction of veterans' pensions. This measure has been in effect since 2002, introduced during the government of Ivica Račan.
In an interview with HRT's central news program, Medved emphasized that this initiative represents a continuation of ongoing efforts to improve the status of the veteran population. He stressed that over the past ten years, the Government, in partnership with veterans' associations from the Homeland War, has corrected numerous injustices and filled legal gaps.
"During the autumn session of Parliament, we will submit a bill to abolish the reduction of veterans' pensions introduced in 2002, during the government of Ivica Račan. This will correct yet another injustice, following our previous corrections of injustices from the governments of Jadranka Kosor and Zoran Milanović," said Medved.
The Minister also reminded of other concrete steps the Government has taken in caring for veterans. Among them, the expansion of the network of veterans' centers stands out. Five new centers will be added to the existing four, significantly increasing the availability of services for this population.
Medved confirmed that all preparations for the central commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm have been completed. The program in Knin on August 5, 2026, begins with a mass at 7:30 AM, followed by a tribute at 9 AM for 245 Croatian veterans killed in Operation Storm. The central ceremony will be held at the NK Dinara stadium, and simultaneously, the Croatian flag will be raised at the Knin Fortress.
"Everything is ready, as in previous years. The 31st anniversary will be commemorated with dignity in many cities and municipalities," Medved stated.
Special attention is drawn to the announcement of the military part of the program. "After that, there will be a display of the capabilities of the Croatian Army and Police, and the inevitable flyover of the Wings of Storm and the multi-role Rafale fighter jets. The Rafales will fly over the areas liberated in Operation Storm," the Minister announced.
On August 4, 2026, Medved participated in the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the liberation of Hrvatska Dubica, the first municipal center liberated in Operation Storm. On that occasion, a monument dedicated to 39 brave Croatian veterans from that area was unveiled.
"Today we mark the 31st anniversary of the liberation of Hrvatska Dubica in Operation Storm. It was the first municipal center liberated in the operation. We unveiled a monument to 39 brave Croatian veterans from this area. Today we send messages that remind us of days of pride and glory. Today, when many question the reasons for conducting Operation Storm, the message from Hrvatska Dubica is: Through Storm, we brought freedom to the Croatian people," Medved said.
The Minister also commented on the recent desecration of the "Interrupted Childhood" monument in Slavonski Brod, erected in memory of children killed during the Homeland War. He expressed confidence that the authorities will quickly find the perpetrator and called on citizens to show reverence.
"I believe that the bodies responsible for determining accountability will very quickly find the perpetrator or perpetrators. I call on everyone to remember the names inscribed on these memorials. They remind us of the most innocent victims of the Homeland War, children who died as a result of the Greater Serbian aggression. We will repair the damage as soon as possible," Medved concluded.
