Army of Republika Srpska

Army of Republika Srpska
Војска Републике Српске
Vojska Republike Srpske
Military leaderRatko Mladić
Political leaderRadovan Karadžić
Dates of operation1992–2006
Split from Yugoslav People's Army
Merged into Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Allegiance Republika Srpska
MotivesIndependence of Republika Srpska (until 1995)
HeadquartersPale, Bijeljina, Banja Luka
Size250,000 by formation
155,000 (1995)
Allies
Opponents
Battles and warsBosnian War:
Colours  Red
  Blue
  White
Patch
Helmet decal
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The Army of Republika Srpska (Serbian: Војска Републике Српске, ВРС, romanizedVojska Republike Srpske, VRS), commonly referred to in English as the Bosnian Serb Army, was the military of Republika Srpska, the self-proclaimed secessionist republic, a territory within the newly independent Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (formerly part of Yugoslavia), which it defied and fought against. Active during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995, the Bosnian Serb Army under General Ratko Mladić became the most proficient military force in the Balkans, as well as one of the most reviled armies in the world. After the war it continued to exist as the armed forces of Republika Srpska, one of two entities making up Bosnia and Herzegovina, until 2006 when it was integrated into the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the conflict, the Bosnian Serb Army conducted several major operations, including Operation Corridor 92, Operation Vrbas '92, Operation Lukavac, Operation Shield '94, and Operation Spider; The army also took part in the Siege of Sarajevo, the longest siege in the history of modern warfare, as well as in the Srebrenica massacre.