Ratko Mladić's military career ended in defeat, not glory

This article, originally published in 2021, revisits the military career of Ratko Mladić, focusing on his role during the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mladić arrived in Knin in June 1991, taking command of the JNA's Knin Corps and quickly gaining a reputation as a formidable commander in Serbia. His forces engaged in the destruction of Croatian villages and towns, including Kijevo, and launched attacks on Šibenik.

By the end of 1991, Mladić's Knin Corps had grown significantly, dominating the military landscape while Croatian forces struggled to defend their territories. During the Sarajevo ceasefire and Croatia's international recognition in early 1992, Mladić, now a hardened commander with a Greater Serbian ideology, was transferred to Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was appointed commander of the Main Staff of the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) in May 1992, a position he held until November 1996.

Despite being celebrated as a great Serbian commander, the article asserts that Mladić's military career ultimately ended in defeat against Croatian armies. His forces were consistently pushed back by Croatian forces led by General Ante Gotovina. Mladić's ambition to reverse territorial losses was evident in his "Directive No. 8" from August 1995, which planned a large offensive with 80,000 soldiers to retake territories and push towards Livno, the Neretva valley, and potentially Dubrovnik.

However, these plans were thwarted. Following General Gotovina's advances into Grahovo and Glamoč in late July 1995, Mladić understood that an attack on Knin was imminent. A meeting of military commanders from both Serbian armies took place on July 30, 1995, in Bosanski Petrovac, where Mladić and General Dušan L were present, indicating the strategic challenges and eventual setbacks Mladić faced.