Operation Storm was the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence and a major factor in the outcome of the Bosnian War. It was a decisive victory for the Croatian Army (HV), which attacked across a 630-kilometre (390 mi) front against the self-declared proto-state Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK), and a strategic victory for the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ARBiH). The HV was supported by the Croatian special police advancing from the Velebit Mountain, and the ARBiH located in the Bihać pocket, in the Army of the Republic of Serbian Krajina's (ARSK) rear. The battle, launched to restore Croatian control of 10,400 square kilometres of territory, representing 18.4% of the territory it claimed, and Bosniak control of Western Bosnia, was the largest European land battle since World War II. Operation Storm commenced at dawn on 4 August 1995 and was declared complete on the evening of 7 August, despite significant mopping-up operations against pockets of resistance lasting until 14 August.
The Croatian Army is numerically the largest of the three branches of the Croatian Armed Forces. The HKoV is the main force for the defense of the country against external threats, and in addition to the task of defending the Republic of Croatia, the HKoV also has the task of participating in peace support operations and humanitarian operations as part of international forces, as well as the task of preventing and eliminating the consequences of emergency situations in the country caused by natural and technical accidents and disasters.
Operation Flash was a brief Croatian Army (HV) offensive conducted against the forces of the self-declared proto-state Republic of Serbian Krajina (RSK) from 1–3 May 1995. The offensive occurred in the later stages of the Croatian War of Independence and was the first major confrontation after ceasefire and economic cooperation agreements were signed between Croatia and the RSK in 1994. The last organised RSK resistance formally ceased on 3 May, with the majority of troops surrendering the next day near Pakrac, although mop-up operations continued for another two weeks.
Kneževi Vinogradi is a village and municipality in Croatia. It is situated in the Osijek-Baranja County, on the southern slopes of Bansko Brdo, 11 km southeast of Beli Manastir. It lies at an altitude of 103 m. Chief occupations of villagers include farming, viticulture, livestock breeding and dairy industry. At the time of 2011 census, Kneževi Vinogradi was the only municipality in Croatia with a relative majority of Hungarians of Croatia.
The system of honours of the Republic of Croatia was established after the independence of Croatia in 1991. There are nineteen main decorations conferred since 2019, in addition to several other medals and awards.
Slavko Goluža is a retired Croatian handball player and most recently coach of RK Zagreb.
Alvaro Načinović is a former Croatian handball player who competed for Yugoslavia and Croatia respectively.
Maro Joković is a Croatian water polo player. He is left-handed and plays in the right wing position. He competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics and won a gold medal in 2012 and a silver in 2016. He held the world title in 2007 and the European title in 2010.
Orders, decorations and medals of Albania are state decorations regulated and bestowed by the Republic of Albania.
Martin Sinković is a Croatian rower. He is the younger brother of fellow rower Valent Sinković, with whom he has won three Olympic gold medals. The brothers are the most decorated Croatian Summer Olympians in history and won gold medals in the double sculls at the 2016 Summer Olympics, the coxless pair at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the coxless pair at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Sinković won the silver medal in the quadruple sculls at the 2012 Summer Olympics with his brother, David Šain and Damir Martin. He is a six-time world champion, twice in quadruple sculls, double sculls and coxless pair each, and seven-time European champion, with four titles in double sculls and three titles in coxless pair. Sinković is also a two-time U23 world champion in quadruple sculls with his brother, Šain and Martin.
Valent Sinković is a Croatian rower. He is the older brother of fellow rower Martin Sinković, with whom he has won three Olympic gold medals. The brothers are the most decorated Croatian Summer Olympians in history and won gold medals in the double sculls at the 2016 Summer Olympics, the coxless pair at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the coxless pair at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Sinković won the silver medal in the quadruple sculls at the 2012 Summer Olympics with his brother, David Šain and Damir Martin. He is a six-time world champion, twice in quadruple sculls, double sculls and coxless pair each, and seven-time European champion, with four titles in double sculls and three titles in coxless pair. Sinković is also a two-time U23 world champion in quadruple sculls with his brother, Šain and Martin.
Zvonimir Červenko was a Croatian general and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Croatia from 1995 to 1996.
Imra Agotić was a Croatian general who distinguished himself in the Croatian War of Independence.
Tonči Stipanović is a Croatian sailor. He competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the men's laser class, finishing in 4th place. Stipanović won Croatia's first ever sailing Olympic medal when he came second overall to win silver in the men's laser class, at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He came second overall to win silver in the men's laser class at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as well.
The Split Agreement or Split Declaration was a mutual defence agreement between Croatia, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed in Split, Croatia on 22 July 1995. It called on the Croatian Army (HV) to intervene militarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily in relieving the siege of Bihać.
Željko Reiner is a Croatian physician, politician, university professor, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and former Minister of Health and Social Welfare who served as the 10th Speaker of the Croatian Parliament since independence and the 20th speaker overall, from December 2015 until October 2016.
Nenad Šoštarić is a Croatian retired handball player.
Orders, decorations and medals of Republika Srpska is a system of awards in Republika Srpska. There are 15 orders and 7 medals.
The Medal for Participation in Operation Flash is a medal awarded by the Republic of Croatia for participation in Operation Flash. The medal was founded on April 1, 1995.
The Medal for Participation in Operation Storm is a medal awarded by the Republic of Croatia for participation in Operation Storm. The medal was founded on April 1, 1995.
Republic of Croatia 
