31 YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF 23 MEMBERS OF THE FIRST GUARD MOTORIZED BRIGADE MARKED IN TRNOVO

TRNOVO, OCTOBER 19 /SRNA/ - The 31st anniversary of the deaths of 23 members of the First Guard Motorized Brigade of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska /VRS/ was marked today in Trnovo, honoring those who fell during two enemy offensives on October 1 and 29, 1994.

Željko Dakić, president of the Guards Association of the First Guard Motorized Brigade of the VRS Main Staff, told reporters that this is the second time the "October Days" have been commemorated in Trnovo, preserving the memory of October 1994, when enemy forces launched two major offensives aiming to seize parts of Mount Bjelašnica and Mount Treskavica.

Dakić explained that the enemy's goal was to capture Trnovo and connect with their forces in Goražde, in order to reach the Drina River and cut Republika Srpska in two.

He recalled that the first attack occurred on October 1 and the second on October 29, noting that the enemy had been thoroughly prepared.

"According to data, they mobilized around 13,000 well-trained and well-equipped soldiers with full combat logistics support, and even set up a field hospital in the village of Sinanovići," Dakić said.

He emphasized that against such a force stood a combat group of about 6,000 Guards Brigade fighters, who managed to repel the attacks - though with heavy losses.

"On October 1 alone, 15 guardsmen were killed in the early morning hours and 39 wounded. The enemy renewed the offensive on October 29, which was also stopped, though eight guardsmen lost their lives," said Dakić.

"The Guards Brigade completed its mission - it saved Trnovo from falling. In gratitude, the town now has a street named after the First Guard Motorized Brigade," he added.

Guardsman Darko Ćulibrk recalled that on October 1, 1994, they came under attack at the Mesnica plateau on Mount Treskavica, where fighting continued until noon, after which they withdrew to reserve positions.

Ćulibrk was wounded during the withdrawal and later captured by the Foča Brigade.

"What followed was a nightmare. I went through the Tarčin silo camp, Hrasnica, Suhodol, Viktor Bubanj, and Koševo Clinic, until I was exchanged on January 18 or 19, 1995, and taken to the Kasindol Hospital," Ćulibrk said.

Miodrag Gajić, a member of the Association's Presidency, reminded that the Guards Brigade was formed on January 19, 1993, by order of the General Staff, as an elite unit - which proved to be the right decision.

"We were the pride of Republika Srpska, from Trebinje to Novi Grad. More than 7,000 men served in the brigade, and 117 of our best sons gave their lives for Republika Srpska," Gajić said.

He noted that the Guards Association was founded in 2019 to preserve the culture of remembrance and now counts 1,575 members.

"We are 'soldiers of one oath, guardians of one Republic,' and we are worthy of the name we bear," Gajić said proudly.

A memorial service was held at the church in Trnovo, followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers at the memorial site.

Flowers were laid by the families of the fallen guardsmen, representatives of the Guards Association, the municipalities of Trnovo, East Ilidža, and Sokolac, the Republic Organization of War Veterans, municipal veteran associations, and the Republic Civil Protection Administration.

A cultural and spiritual academy and a historical lecture were later held at the Trnovo Cultural Center, followed by a communal lunch.

The First Guard Motorized Brigade was established by a decision of the VRS Main Staff, with its first units assembled on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 19, 1993.