Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic paid a visit to the Radan family in Banstol, who came to Serbia in August 1995 as part of a refugee group from the village of Oton near Knin, displaced during Croatia’s military offensive known as “Operation Storm.”
The Radans greeted Vucic with a traditional family meal and performed a Krajina folk song in his honor. “It’s a pleasure to see you,” Vucic said, as the family offered local dishes and shared concerns about regional challenges.
One of the issues highlighted was the shortage of water. “This problem affects not only this area but also parts of Vojvodina. For instance, in Cortalovci, there is a complete lack of water,” Vucic remarked.
Reflecting on the tragic past, Vucic posted on Instagram: “We lost land where our people lived for generations, yet we gained hardworking and honest individuals who contribute greatly to Serbia. As someone whose ancestors also fled, I deeply understand the pain of the Krajina tragedy. Seeing our elderly women in mourning clothes, it feels like nothing Serbian remains there. But here, you have a good life and children—those little angels who will do much for Serbia.”
Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar and Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs Milica Djurdjevic Stamenkovski accompanied Vucic during the visit.
Tonight, Serbia and Republika Srpska will commemorate the Day of Remembrance in Sremski Karlovci for all victims and displaced persons of “Operation Storm.” The event will be attended by Vucic, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, who will conduct memorial prayers.
According to the Documentation and Information Center “Veritas,” over 220,000 Serbs were forced to leave the former Republic of Serbian Krajina during the operation; more than 1,900 were killed, and numerous crimes were committed, marking the largest civilian displacement in Europe since World War II.
