Key Facts
- Duration
- Summer 1992 – July 1995 (~3 years)
- Civilians evacuated
- Over 10,000 Bosniak civilians
- Deaths in final offensive
- 116
- Refugees displaced
- 800
- UN peacekeepers present
- 79 Ukrainian peacekeepers
- Final offensive name
- Operation Stupčanica 95
Strategic Narrative Overview
From April 1992 to February 1993, ARBiH forces and civilians resisted using guerrilla tactics. In March 1993, General Mladić launched a large-scale counterattack, capturing 80 percent of Srebrenica enclave territory and separating Žepa into a standalone enclave. The UN declared Žepa a safe haven in May 1993, placing it under protection of 79 Ukrainian peacekeepers. Fourteen days after Srebrenica's fall, Bosnian Serb forces launched Operation Stupčanica 95 on 25 July 1995.
01 / The Origins
During the Bosnian War, Bosnian Serb forces sought to consolidate control over eastern Bosnia. Žepa, a small Bosnian town, was first besieged by the Yugoslav People's Army in summer 1992, then by the Army of Republika Srpska. It formed part of the Srebrenica–Žepa enclave link and became a flashpoint as Bosnian Serb forces aimed to eliminate Bosniak-held pockets in the region.
03 / The Outcome
Ukrainian peacekeeper commander Mykola Verkhohlyad negotiated civilian evacuation with General Mladić, preventing mass killings and securing the safe exit of over 10,000 Bosniak civilians by UN convoy. The fall of Žepa, alongside Srebrenica, accelerated NATO bombing of Bosnian Serb positions, which continued until 20 September 1995 and contributed to the conditions leading to the Dayton Agreement.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Ratko Mladić, Zdravko Tolimir.
Side B
2 belligerents
Avdo Palić, Mykola Verkhohlyad.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.