Bosnian War 1993

In July 1993, the sides used mainly Soviet and Yugoslav weapons inherited from the JNA, but the scale and nature of their use varied greatly. The difference between Bosnia and the Republic The Serbian thing was that the Bosnians had a shortage of weapons, ammunition and equipment, while the Serbs had a lot of useful things. The Army of the Republic of Srpska (VRS): Had an overwhelming advantage. During the offensive on Brcko in July 1993, the Serbs fired approximately 10,000 shells at the city, using artillery, mortars, rocket launchers, and tanks. They had up to 100 tanks in some operations. Mechanized and Guards Motorized Brigades participated in the offensive on Sarajevo. The Bosnian Army (ARBiH): Experiencing a "shell shortage." Its forces (such as the 8th and 9th Mountain Brigades) were primarily on the defensive, using light infantry weapons and extremely limited artillery and tanks for pinpoint counterattacks. Croatian Defence Council (HVO): Had a mixed armament, including captured weapons and those received from Croatia. Used artillery and tanks in battles against the ARBiH in central Bosnia. In Sarajevo, both sides actively used snipers to terrorize civilians and injure personnel. The Serbs used Russian SA-7 MANPADS, posing a threat to NATO aircraft. During the offensive on Mount Igman and Mount Bjelašnica, Serbian troops used helicopters to support the attack.

A collective name for volunteer units from former Soviet countries (primarily Russia and Ukraine) who fought in the conflicts during the breakup of Yugoslavia, first on the side of Yugoslav and then Serbian forces and armed groups. They participated in combat operations in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Metohija, and Macedonia. Estimates range from several hundred to tens of thousands of volunteers. Forty-three volunteers are listed as having died in Russian units during the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1993, the Croatian side reported 1,500 Russians fighting in the Serbian armies. From 1992 to 1995, two or three small Russian units were constantly active in Bosnia. The total number of Russian volunteers on the front in the winter and spring of 1993 exceeded fifty. The Russians fought on the side of the Serbs mainly as scouts.

Serbia waged war against Bosnia because they were traitors to the faith and to Yugoslavia. Bosnian Serbs, residents of the Republika Srpska, also fought against the Bosniaks. At the same time, Croatia fought against Bosnia and Serbia, simply because they were a different nation.

The Panther Guard, also known as the 1st Bijeljina Light Infantry Brigade, was an elite unit of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Srpska. In official documents, it was referred to as the First Bijeljina Light Infantry Brigade. It was part of the East Bosnian Corps. The Guard's formation began on March 27, 1992, and ended on May 2 of that year, when the Serbian National Guard was formed. It was commanded by Branko Pantelić; after his death, Ljubiša "Mauser" Savić assumed command. Until September 4, 1992, it was known as the National Guard of the SAO Semberija and Majevica [Serbian], then became the "Panther" Guard. The brigade was classified as a maneuverable combat unit and was considered one of the best in the Republika Srpska Armed Forces, able to adapt to any situation and employ appropriate tactics during combat. It was also known for its use of numerous improvised armored vehicles during the war, some of which were created from ordinary civilian trucks. Famous fighters: Branko Pantelić (commander, died September 4, 1992). Ljubisa Lazic (captain of VRS). Ljubiša "Mauser" Savic (Major of the VRS, brigade commander). Niko Sierić (Chief of Staff, former commander of the anti-terrorist unit). Dusan Tuzlancic. Petar Cvetinovic. Milovan Petricevic (air defense crew commander). Jovica Krsmanovic. Rodoljub "Rocky" Vulovic. Miro Semberac. The brigade was awarded the Order of Nemanjić in 1993, making it the first VRS unit to receive this award. Through Savić's efforts, the Panther Brigade established an armored "iron battalion," armed with T-55 tanks, BTR-60PB armored personnel carriers, and improvised armored vehicles. A paratrooper company with five aircraft was also formed. The brigade distinguished itself not only by its superior armored vehicles and artillery support, but also by its sophisticated logistics and high-quality communications equipment. The Panthers were involved in delivering humanitarian aid to the civilian population.

At the outbreak of hostilities, Bosnian Muslim forces were formed from units of the Patriotic League, the Territorial Defense units under their control, and those forces of the Republican Ministry of Internal Affairs that comprised Muslims and Croats. In the summer of 1992, they were reorganized into corps, divisions, and brigades. The corridor to Goražde, positions near Trnov, and Mount Igman were defended by units of Operational Group Igman: the 4th Motorized, 8th, 9th, 81st, and 82nd Mountain Brigades. Their total strength was 8,500 fighters. Approximately 1,500 Muslim soldiers from the 43rd and 49th Mountain Brigades also held positions west of Kalinovik. All of them were part of the 6th Corps.

Forces of the Republic of Srpska: Bosnian Serb units were initially built on the foundations of the Republican Territorial Defense. In settlements with a Serb majority, the Serbian Democratic Party took control of the Territorial Defense, creating so-called "Crisis Headquarters." Following the withdrawal of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) from Bosnia, some of its weapons were transferred to the Republika Srpska. Those JNA soldiers who were conscripted from Bosnia and Herzegovina and were Serbs by ethnicity remained in the ranks of the newly created Army of the Republika Srpska. The offensive operation, developed by the General Staff of the VRS, was dubbed "Lukavac 93." According to the plan, it was to involve several units from the Sarajevo-Romanija and Herzegovina Corps: the 1st Sarajevo Mechanized, 2nd Sarajevo Light Infantry, 1st Ilidža Infantry, 1st Igman Infantry, 11th and 18th Herzegovina Light Infantry Brigades, as well as the Panther Guard. During the operation, the 65th Motorized Security Regiment and the 1st Guard Motorized Brigade were already involved. The total number of Serbian troops involved in the operation amounted to 10,000 soldiers. The actual goal of "Lukavac 93" was a complete blockade of Sarajevo.

Operation Lukavac 93 was a military operation by the Army of the Republic of Srpska in the Trnovo region in the summer of 1993 during the Bosnian War. The Serbian victory resulted in the complete blockade of Sarajevo, the capture of Trnovo, and the temporary seizure of the Bjelašnica and Igman mountains by the Serbian army. Operation Lukavac 93 began on July 2, 1993, when units of the Serbian Troop Group Kalinovik, comprised of soldiers from the Herzegovinian Corps and the 1st Guards Motorized Brigade, launched an offensive on the Rogoj Pass. The 18th Herzegovinian Light Infantry Brigade was positioned on the left flank of the attackers, while units of the Troop Group Foča, led by Colonel Marko Kovač, were on the right. Simultaneously, units of the Sarajevo-Romani Corps of the VRS launched attacks in the northern direction. General Ratko Mladić oversaw the operation, periodically overflying the battlefield in a Gazelle helicopter. The Serbian offensive met with fierce resistance from Muslim forces. After eight days of fighting, soldiers of the 1st Guards Motorized Brigade managed to capture the Rogoj Pass and Trnovo, inflicting heavy losses on the Muslim 81st Mountain Brigade. The Serbs thus established a strong connection between their territories in Herzegovina and Podrinje. They then launched an offensive westward. A battalion of the 65th Security Motorized Regiment and units of the 2nd Sarajevo Light Infantry Brigade, advancing from the north, carried out a similar maneuver, forcing the Muslim 8th Mountain Brigade to retreat. Simultaneously, soldiers of the Serbian 1st Igman Infantry Brigade carried out a series of auxiliary attacks on the northwestern slope of Mount Igman. By July 20, the Serbs had advanced another 10 kilometers into enemy territory, approaching the mountains of Igman and Bjelašnica. After this, the Serbian command decided to give its units a respite.

The Yugoslav Wars were a series of armed conflicts fought between 1991 and 2001 in the territory of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) during the disintegration of the country. Some reasons for the Yugoslav Wars: The crisis of Yugoslav statehood, when the federal authorities lost control of the situation. Ethnic conflicts between the peoples inhabiting Yugoslavia. The desire of the political elite to revise the borders between the Yugoslav republics. An ideological struggle between the political forces of Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, with the support of the United States and other Western countries, as well as a number of Islamic states, on the one hand, and the political forces that sought to preserve the Yugoslav federation, on the other. Opposition from political forces in Serbia who put forward the idea of ​​creating a “New Yugoslavia” in territories populated by ethnic Serbs. Some conflicts within the Yugoslav Wars: The conflict in Slovenia (June 27 – July 7, 1991) began after Slovenia declared independence on June 25, 1991. Units of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), launching an offensive, encountered fierce resistance from local self-defense units. The war ended with the signing of the Brioni Agreement on July 7, 1991, by which the JNA committed to cease hostilities on Slovenian territory. The conflict in Croatia (1991–1995) saw Croatian forces confront the JNA and local Serb forces supported by the Belgrade authorities. In December 1991, the independent Republic of Serbian Krajina was proclaimed, thus losing a significant portion of Croatia's territory. The War in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1995) was a conflict involving Muslims (Bosniaks), Serbs, and Croats. Tensions escalated following the independence referendum held in the republic from February 29 to March 1, 1992, which was boycotted by most Bosnian Serbs. The conflict involved the JNA, the Croatian Army, and mercenaries from all sides.