Russian Volunteer Day was again marked in Višegrad, and the event was attended by Cossack captain Aleksandar Kravchenko, which provoked a reaction from Ermin Kuka, scientific advisor to the Institute for Research on Crimes against Humanity and International Law at the University of Sarajevo and author of the book “Genocide of Bosniaks in Višegrad 1992-1995”.
“Višegrad was chosen as the main place to mark that day, with the full support of local authorities. While they call for peace, coexistence and tolerance in Višegrad, which was ethnically cleansed of Bosniaks by carrying out genocide and other crimes against humanity and international law, they are at the same time contributing to new disturbances by bringing in former Russian volunteers and their sympathizers, dressed in the uniforms they wore during the occupation of Višegrad and the crimes against Bosniaks,” said Kuka.
Let us recall that 32 years ago, on April 12, the battle took place at the Zaglavak and Stolac heights, in which three Russian volunteers were killed, and that date is included in the calendar of significant events of the Government of Republika Srpska. Višegrad is the center of the celebration of the Day of Russian Volunteers, where two memorials have been erected – one at the church cemetery on Megdan, and the other on the Bikavac hill above the city.
“The marking was attended by the famous Russian volunteer Aleksandar Kravchenko with his two daughters, who are obviously following in their father’s footsteps. Kravchenko was one of the key organizers of the arrival of Russian volunteers and their participation in the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the occupation of Višegrad,” added Kuka.
He notes that three years ago, reports were filed with the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH regarding this celebration, which is accompanied by talk about Serbian and Russian territories and the spread of national and religious hatred, but that no measures have been taken to date.
“People like Kravchenko, who two days ago, on the eve of this year’s celebration of the Day of Russian Volunteers, promoted the book “Russian Volunteers” in Višegrad, are freely entering the country. The promotion was held at the ‘Doli Bel’ cinema in Andrićgrad, and in the book, the author describes the participation of Russian volunteers in the Defense and Liberation War in the territory of Republika Srpska through testimonies. Obviously, state institutions do not pay attention to such events, especially in the context of security and harassment of the small number of Bosniaks who live in Višegrad or return to their homes for a shorter or longer period of time,” concluded Kuka.
