Minister Anušić Pays His Respects to the Victims of Vukovar at the Column of Remembrance

With dignity and piety, Croatia today honours the victims of Vukovar in the Homeland War – a lasting symbol of the courage of the Croatian people – and marks the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Homeland War and the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, as part of a Croatian Government delegation led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, joined thousands of citizens from across Croatia and abroad who came to pay their respects to the Hero City. On 18 November 2025, they participated in the Column of Remembrance and the commemorative programme in Vukovar.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid also paid his respects, accompanied by a delegation of the Croatian Armed Forces General Staff.

Under the slogan “Vukovar – A Place of Special Homeland Reverence,” deepest respect was shown to all those who gave their lives in defence of the freedom and dignity of the Republic of Croatia.

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, said: “Vukovar cannot be trivialised. Here, as in Škabrnja, Croats were massacred. The Croatian people paid for their freedom with their blood, and these days remind us of that tragedy. We expect piety for Vukovar without any trivialisation, as these are days of profound suffering for the Croatian people.”

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated: “We have come to pay our respects to the defenders and civilians who lost their lives here during the Homeland War, and to honour the heroic defence of the City of Vukovar, a symbol of Croatia’s resistance and defence in the just Homeland War against the Greater Serbian aggression led by Milošević, a war in which Croatia won. We are particularly moved as, only weeks ago, the remains of several missing Vukovar defenders were found, among them Jean-Michel Nicolier.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, paying his respects to the victims of Vukovar said: “From the greatest tragedy in recent Croatian history, Vukovar has become an inspiration for all of us to continue building a better future for Croatia. With deep respect, we bow to the heroes of Vukovar and Škabrnja, whose sacrifice is permanently woven into the foundations of the independence of the Republic of Croatia.”

Minister Anušić reminded that the Croatian Armed Forces are built on the invaluable experience from 1991. “The Croatian Armed Forces are a victorious force. There are not many victorious armed forces in NATO or in the world. We defended ourselves and won in an unjust and imposed war. There aren’t many such cases, and that’s what makes Croatia unique,” said Anušić.

The minister also emphasised the respect Croatia enjoys within NATO: “Croatia is a small country, but it is well known for having a victorious force. Many NATO commanders show respect and always highlight their admiration for the Croatian Armed Forces, particularly acknowledging the military andpolice operations Storm and Flash.”

The commemorative programme “Vukovar – A Place of Special Homeland Piety ” took place at the National Memorial Hospital “Dr. Juraj Njavro.”

Women Veterans Lead the Column of Remembrance – A Symbol of Strength and Gratitude

After the commemorative programme, the Column of Remembrance started its traditional Way of the Cross through the streets of Vukovar.

Young people dressed in white shirts bearing the names of victims of the Vukovar aggression marched through the streets ahead of the procession.

Croatian Armed Forces flag-bearers and Colonel Antun Dugan led the Column of Remembrance, followed by Vukovar’s Croatian defenders and the families of the fallen, missing, killed, forcibly taken, and deceased defenders, led by the women veterans of the Homeland War from Vukovar.

They were joined by twenty-four historical military units from the Homeland War, Croatian Armed Forces cadets, Police Academy students, high ranking Croatian officials, City of Vukovar representatives, bishops and priests, county representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, and numerous distinguished guests.

Column of Remembrance participants laid roses at the eternal resting places of fallen and murdered defenders and civilians at the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War.

Prayer, Wreath-Laying, and Candle – Lighting in Honour of the Victims of Vukovar

Representatives of Vukovar’s defenders and the families of the fallen, missing, killed, forcibly taken, and deceased Croatian defenders, together with the delegation of the President of the Republic of Croatia led by Orsat Miljenić and Marijana Mareković, the delegation of the Croatian Parliament led by Speaker Gordan Jandroković, the delegation of the Croatian Government led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the delegation of the Vukovar-Srijem County led by Governor Ivan Bosančić, and the delegation of the City of Vukovar led by Mayor Marijan Pavliček paid their respects to the victims of Vukovar by laying wreaths and lighting candles at the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War.

The prayer for the victims of the Homeland War in the city of Vukovar was led by the Archbishop of Đakovo-Osijek, Monsignor Đuro Hranić, while the Mass for all victims of the Homeland War was celebrated by the Bishop of Šibenik, Monsignor Tomislav Rogić.

Delegations of the Croatian Parliament and the Croatian Government also laid wreaths and lit candles at the Ovčara Memorial Hall.

The commemorative programme was enriched by a performance of the Croatian Navy’s vocal ensemble “Sveti Juraj”.