Veljko Milanković (Serbian Cyrillic: Вељко Миланковић; 5 January 1955 – 14 February 1993) was a Bosnian Serb war commander during the Yugoslav Wars with the rank of second lieutenant.[1]
Veljko Milanković | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Komandant Veljko Hajduk Veljko The Wolf from Vučjak |
| Born | 5 January 1955 Prnjavor, PR Bosnia and Herzegovina, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Died | 14 February 1993 (aged 38) Belgrade, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia |
| Allegiance |  Republika Srpska Republic of Serbian Krajina |
| Service | Army of Republika Srpska |
| Years of service | 1991–1993 |
| Rank | Second lieutenant Commander |
| Unit |  KninjasWolves of Vučjak |
| Battles / wars | Bosnian War |
| Awards | Medal of Miloš Obilić |
In 2007, it was announced that Milanković would have a street named after him in Novi Sad.[2] Non-governmental groups protested the decision.[3][4]
Early life
editBorn to a farming family in the village of Kremna, near Prnjavor, FPR Yugoslavia (modern day Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Milanković helped his father in the fields, working alongside Bosniak Muslims. In 1980, he was allegedly reported multiple times for illegally cutting down and stealing wood, and was arrested by the police for these charges, but was later released. According to Nemanja Vasić, a wartime resident of Prnjavor, Milanković was "both a hero and a criminal. The people loved him, but they also feared him."[5]
Military service
editInitially training under Dragan Vasiljković, Milanković gained a reputation as a disciplined soldier. He fought originally for the independence of Republika Srpska and joined the 1st Krajina Corps, but upon his promotion to second lieutenant, he was permitted to create a paramilitary group named the Wolves of Vučjak. He led them until his death in 1993; under his command, the Wolves saw action in Modriča, Derventa, Jasenovac, Pakrac, Okučani, Bosanska, and Kninska Krajina.[6] During the wars in Croatia and Bosnia, he was accused of the abuse of civilians and minorities.
Operation Maslenica
editDuring Operation Maslenica, Milanković led an assault with his Wolves unit against Croatian positions in western Dalmatia. The goal of Milanković and his unit were to push out Croatians and protect Serbs in the region. In 1992, he was injured in the foot while fighting in the village of Smrtić, in western Slavonia. Though he had to wear a cast, he did not leave the battlefield due to his leading position in the Wolves of Vučjak.[7] He later played a critical role in the "Corridor of Life" which helped widen a strip of Serbian-claimed land.
Death
editOn 4 February 1993, Milanković was shot in the right side of his chest while street-fighting in Donji Kašić, Croatia. He later died of his wounds on 14 February 1993 at the age of 38 while receiving treatment at the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade. Three days later, he was buried in his native village.
See more
editReferences
edit- ^ "030304Ed".
- ^ "Streets named after Vukovar commanders". B92. 4 April 2007.
- ^ Ministarstvo protiv "Vukova s Vučjaka"
- ^ "OSCE criticises naming of Novi Sad streets after wartime commanders". Southeast European Times. 6 April 2007.
- ^ "Naslovna | Sense Transitional Justice Center". arhiva.sensecentar.org. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ "Srpski ratni veterani". Srpski ratni veterani (in Serbian). Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Vedran (2022-06-26). ""UPRKOS GIPSU NA NOZI, ODBIJAO JE DA ODE IZ BORBE": Junaški podvizi Veljka Milankovića presudni u probijanju "Koridora života"". Prnjavorinfo.com. Retrieved 2023-05-10.