Wolves of the Drina
 | This article needs better sources. (December 2024) |
| Wolves from the Drina | |
|---|---|
| Vukovi sa Drine | |
 Insignia of “Wolves from the Drina” | |
| Active | 1992–1995 |
| Allegiance |  Republika Srpska |
| Branch |  Army of Republika Srpska |
| Type | Paramilitary Special Police |
| Role | Guerilla warfare Patrolling HUMINT |
| Size | 400 to 2,000 members |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | Order of Nemanjići |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | |
Wolves from the Drina, (Serbian Cyrillic: Вукови са Дрине, Vukovi sa Drine) was an elite Special police unit apart of the Army of Republika Srpska’s detachment “Drina corps”, as well as being apart of the “1st Zvornik Infantry Brigade” which was a battalion of the Drina Corps. The unit participated in many battles, which devolved into the unit being awarded the Order of Nemanjići, for its feats during the Bosnian War.[1]
History
[edit]The Wolves from the Drina unit was formed in Zvornik on May 25, 1992, followed by the Start of the Bosnian War. Captain Mile Stanošević was the head commander of the unit, until he was killed in action during an operation near Vitinica, after Stanošević‘s death, Milan Jolović became the commander of the unit.[1]
Wartime
[edit]The first major operation the unit participated in was Operation Lukavac ‘93. Most famously, the Wolves from the Drina unit, along with Milan Jolović, prevented Ratko Mladić from being killed during the Operation, and Jolović was ranked as Captain.[2]
Aside from the action in Lukavac in 1993, the unit participated in battles in Orašje and Srebrenica, two engagements in Western Bosnia, and Operation Vaganj 95, which was the last ever operation the unit engaged in.[1]
During the Siege of Srebrenica in 1995, an offensive had been launched by the Army of Republika Srpska. The elite 28th “Muslim” Brigade in Srebrenica had been “obliterated” by the Wolves from the Drina unit.[1]
In total, the unit lost 81–82 soldiers, with the number of members of the unit being abysmal. Jolović himself was wounded three times.[3][4]
Military honors
[edit]None of the members of the Wolves from the Drina unit were charged with war crimes,[4] many members of the unit were rewarded with Republika Srpska’s highest military honors, the unit itself was rewarded the Order of Nemanjići for its actions to protect the Serbian people.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d ""Vukovi sa Drine" - najelitnija jedinica Vojske Republike Srpske | Katera". katera.news (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "PUKOVNIK MILAN JOLOVIĆ GOST CRNE HRONIKE! Ispovest komandanta specijalne jedinice "Vukovi sa Drine" večeras u 19.15". Mondo Srbija (in Serbian). 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "Jolović: "Vukovi sa Drine" najelitnija jedinica VRS » Zvornik Danas" (in Serbian). 2024-05-18. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ a b ""OTVORILI SU VATRU IZ 1.000 CEVI I UZVIKIVALI ALAHU EKBER!" Kontrolisali smo strah: Ispovest komandanta Vukova sa Drine LEDI KRV!". kurir.rs (in Serbian). 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ Ћајић, Јелена (2022-07-05). "„Вукови са Дрине" одликовани Орденом Немањића". ИНФО ЦЕНТАР Соколац (in Serbian). Retrieved 2024-06-21.