COLONEL FROM GRADIŠKA, VLADO ZRNIĆ, HONORARY GUEST OF THE PARADE - HE GREETED PUTIN

GRADIŠKA, MAY 9 /SRNA/ - Colonel of the Russian Army Vlado Zrnić /95/, originally from the village of Turjak near Gradiška, was an honorary guest at the grand military parade held at Red Square in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism.

On this occasion, he also greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The presence of this 95-year-old from Gradiška added a special emotional note to this significant event.

Vlado Zrnić's life journey is exceptional, writes Glas Srpske.

More than seven decades ago, after the end of World War II in which he actively participated in partisan units and spent some time in a concentration camp, he went to study in Moscow.

Despite being sent in 1947 from the headquarters of the Yugoslav First Army in Niš to study in the then Soviet Union, Zrnić did not return to Yugoslavia after completing his higher military education.

After graduating from the military academy, Zrnić became a pilot in the 645th assault and 916th fighter regiments of the Soviet Air Force, where he gained significant combat experience.

Later, he passed his knowledge and experience on to younger generations as a professor at the prestigious Yuri Gagarin Command Academy in Moscow. As a doctor of technical sciences, he wrote numerous textbooks and manuals on nuclear and conventional aviation weaponry, leaving a profound mark on military science.

Despite his age, Colonel Zrnić remains incredibly vital and active.

He is a member of the Russian Writers' Union and the management of the Aviator Academic Club. His rich life experience and reflections have been transformed into a significant literary body of work, which includes works such as "Kozara," "Yugoslavia in War," "Russian History," "Return," "Patriotism in Action," and the "Yugoslav Trilogy," as well as numerous scientific papers.

A documentary film titled "Russian Officer from Kozara" was made about the colorful life of Vlado Zrnić. The author, Milan Pilipović, said that the film is an authentic testimony of a soldier who never forgot his homeland, as previously reported by RTV Gradiška.

Zrnić wrote an autobiographical book, "Kozara," dedicating it to his homeland. He faithfully passes childhood memories on to his daughter Jelena Beljajeva and other descendants in Russia.

Vlado Zrnić lives in Moscow.