Vukovar is remembered 35 years on

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

VUKOVAR, 25 September 2026 – Croatia has marked the 35th anniversary of the Battle of Vukovar and the formation of the 204th Vukovar Brigade with a commemorative ceremony attended by government officials, veterans, families and members of the Croatian Armed Forces.

The central ceremony was held at the Croatian Home in Vukovar on Friday, 25 September, as part of a programme organised by the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with Vukovar-Srijem County and the City of Vukovar.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said the Battle of Vukovar had been a decisive period in Croatia’s defence during the Homeland War.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

Anušić said the three-month battle inflicted major losses on Serbian forces and gave the rest of Croatia time to organise and prepare its defence.

According to Anušić, more than 400 tanks and armoured vehicles and 25 aircraft were destroyed during the fighting in Vukovar. He described the battle as the bloodiest battle of the Homeland War and paid tribute to the Croatian soldiers and civilians who were killed.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

He also said that the contribution of Vukovar’s defenders would continue to be remembered.

Rafales fly over Vukovar

The anniversary programme began with a traditional musical wake-up call through the streets of Vukovar, followed by a procession of wartime flags.

A Croatian flag was raised at the top of the Vukovar Water Tower by Croatian War Veterans, Croatian Armed Forces cadets and police officers.

Two Croatian Air Force Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft then flew over the city in honour of the participants in the Battle of Vukovar.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

A tribute was also paid to fallen Croatian War veterans at the Memorial Cemetery of Homeland War Victims.

The programme included an exhibition of weapons, military and non-military vehicles and equipment belonging to the Croatian Armed Forces and Ministry of the Interior, together with demonstrations of the capabilities of Croatian military and police personnel.

Remembering the 204th Brigade

The 204th Vukovar Brigade was formed during the early stages of the Croatian War of Independence and became closely associated with the defence of the city.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

The 35th anniversary programme brought together families of killed, missing and deceased Vukovar defenders, wartime commanders and participants in the battle, veterans, representatives of veterans’ associations, members of the Croatian Armed Forces and police, local authorities and other officials.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

The central ceremony followed earlier events including the procession of wartime flags and a public display of military and police equipment.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

The anniversary provides an opportunity to remember the events of 1991 and those who took part in the defence of Vukovar, while marking the continuing place of the city and its defenders in Croatia’s modern history.