This gallery captures a series of high-intensity training exercises conducted by the Special Police Unit at Sarajevo’s Special Police Force training center in Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 8, 2024. The unit, known for its rigorous training in counterterrorism, urban warfare, and high-risk operations, regularly engages in realistic simulations to ensure readiness for a variety of real-world threats. The images showcase the unit's use of detection dogs in simulated scenarios involving explosives, narcotics, and suspect apprehension. Officers are also seen undergoing vertical descent training, mastering high-rise operations, and practicing urban warfare tactics. These exercises highlight the unit’s focus on teamwork, precision, and adaptability in responding to extreme situations, from close-quarters combat to high-risk apprehensions. Through this gallery, viewers can witness the extensive preparation and discipline required to serve in one of the region’s elite police forces, committed to protecting citizens and maintaining security. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

A visual documentation of the Bosnian Armed Forces' helicopter training and maintenance operations, shot on April 9, 2024, at a military base in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This gallery captures the precision and dedication involved in both the flight training exercises and the meticulous mechanical check-ups of military helicopters. From pilots preparing in flight simulators to ground crew inspecting helicopters for operational readiness, these images highlight the expertise and discipline that ensure mission success. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

This photo gallery captures two critical units of the Bosnian Armed Forces during their training exercises at the Bosnian Armed Forces Base in Sarajevo on April 9, 2024. The demining unit, equipped with advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robots, demonstrates their meticulous efforts in detecting and clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance—a persistent threat from the Bosnian War. Meanwhile, the riot control unit conducts a drill focused on crowd control and tactical coordination, showcasing their readiness to manage unrest and maintain peace. These combined efforts reflect the Bosnian Armed Forces' dedication to national security and public safety, employing both modern technology and strategic discipline. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

The photographs capture the complexity of marching, flag and bayonet drill, as well as the constancy of adherence to form and rhythm. Bosnians stand on the grounds of the Sarajevo Armed Forces Base on 9 April 2024 for the Bosnian Ceremonial Guard Forces Parade. Photo by Heidi Zilmer/Green Action PhotographyThese photographs show everyday Bosnians on parade, engaged in the complex choreography of ritual ceremony, performing the rehearsed postures and gestures of the national military. Punctilious execution, formal dress and crisply raised rifles citizen soldiers signify a country’s commitment to national sovereignty and defence. Up close, the photographs show the formalistic nature of military ceremony, its collective performance metres replicated in a uniform formation within backdrop of flags. Outfit Description and Meaning: The design of the uniform of the Bosnian state Ceremonial Guard Forces has eight layers of significance: 1) its colour represents peace and stability;These are the Bosnia and Herzegovina essential values that were expected to emerge after its liberation from the war;2) national flag insignias on the shoulder symbolize multi-ethnic unity – Bosnia modelled its constitution on the example of Switzerland, a neighbouring multi-ethnic state;3) deep blue colour signifies peacefulness and calmness, while the black trousers and boots show military seriousness and respect due to the high rank and dignity of people who wear it;4) white gloves remind people about the purity and honour, characteristic features of Armed Forces;5) the bayoneted rifles recall the history of the country and its military; 6) guards wearing this uniform personify martial spirit of the country, its readiness to any ordeal, and its powerful armed forces;7) The uniform as an ensemble represents the dignity and pride of the Armed Forces 8) a structured form means discipline and proper behaviour during official parading on state ceremonies. By providing such a rich and vivid visual testimonial to the event, this gallery also draws focus to the intricate detail and symbolic associations of the Bosnian soldiers’ ceremonial uniforms, connecting the modern force with its proud history and the nation’s enduring commitment to cohesion. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

This gallery captures moments from Bosnian Minister of Defence Zukan Helez’s interview with VX Media on April 8, 2024, in Sarajevo. The images offer a behind-the-scenes look at Helez in discussion about Bosnia’s current defence strategy and his vision for the nation's security. From candid shots during the interview to glimpses of the Ministry of Defence facilities, these photos provide a visual narrative of the dialogue focused on safeguarding stability and peace for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

This gallery captures a series of street and urban scenes, blending everyday life with the architectural and cultural elements of a city. From the serene shots of city parks in bloom to dynamic street scenes with locals walking, cycling, and relaxing, each image conveys a sense of life and movement. The diverse locations, featuring grand buildings, sculptures, churches, and public squares, provide a snapshot of a city in its natural rhythm, embracing both the historical and the modern.

A visual tribute capturing the busts of national heroes in Banja Luka’s memorial park, Republika Srpska, Bosnia. The gallery showcases statues commemorating figures of courage and sacrifice, set against a modern city backdrop. Photographed on April 7, 2024, these images offer a glimpse into Bosnia’s dedication to remembering its historical heroes. (VX Photo/ Vudi Xhymshiti)

The gravestones at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial in Potočari, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hold profound significance and embody the collective memory of one of the darkest chapters in European history. Each gravestone represents not just an individual life lost, but a tragic narrative of mass violence, ethnic hatred, and the failure of international intervention. These gravestones serve as tangible symbols of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, where over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were systematically killed by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995. The sheer number of graves underscores the scale of the tragedy and the magnitude of the loss suffered by the Bosnian Muslim community. Beyond their numerical significance, the gravestones also bear witness to the individual stories and identities of the victims. Inscribed with names, dates of birth, and sometimes brief epitaphs, they humanize the statistics and serve as a reminder of the diverse lives that were extinguished in the brutality of war. Moreover, the orderly rows of gravestones convey a sense of unity and solidarity among the victims, emphasizing their shared fate and the bonds of community that transcend death. Visitors to the memorial are confronted not only with the enormity of the loss but also with the resilience and dignity of those who perished. In essence, the gravestones at the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial stand as a solemn testament to the imperative of remembrance, justice, and reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict. They call upon future generations to confront the past, acknowledge the truth, and strive for a more peaceful and inclusive future, where such atrocities are never repeated.