According to The Serbian Economist, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has extended a special license to the Croatian company JANAF, allowing it to continue transporting crude oil for the Serbian company NIS until September 30, 2026.
The company reported that it received the license extension with the assistance of the Croatian government and U.S. legal advisors. The authorization allows it to continue fulfilling its existing contract with NIS within the framework of the U.S. sanctions regime.
Thus, crude oil deliveries via the Adriatic Pipeline can continue for at least another month. The oil arrives by sea at the JANAF terminal in Omišalj on the island of Krk, after which it is transported via the pipeline system toward Serbia and used by the NIS refinery in Pančevo.
This decision is of critical importance for Serbia. The refinery in Pančevo is the country’s only large oil refinery and meets about 80% of the Serbian market’s demand for petroleum products. The facility’s design capacity is up to 4.8 million metric tons of crude processed per year.
NIS itself received a separate special license on August 28. It is also valid until September 30 and allows the company to continue oil refining, crude oil imports, financial transactions, technical maintenance, and other operations necessary to ensure a stable supply to the market.
The extension of the license is particularly important given the problems with alternative supply channels. Due to low water levels in the Danube, the capacity to import fuel by barge has been significantly reduced this summer. In July, fuel imports via this route amounted to only about a quarter of the planned volume, which has increased Serbia’s dependence on the Pančevo refinery and supplies via JANAF.
NIS and JANAF are bound by a three-year contract for the transportation of up to 10 million metric tons of crude oil, which remains in effect until December 2026. Actual supply volumes depend on the amount of oil that NIS purchases and delivers to the Omišalj terminal.
The main issue now concerns the change in NIS’s ownership structure. Hungary’s MOL is in talks with Gazprom Neft regarding the purchase of a 56.15% stake in the company. A potential deal is seen as a long-term way to remove NIS from U.S. sanctions. OFAC has also issued separate temporary licenses to facilitate the negotiations.
U.S. sanctions against NIS took full effect in October 2025 due to Russian control over the company. Since then, OFAC has repeatedly issued temporary licenses, allowing Serbia to maintain the refinery’s operations and oil shipments through Croatia for the duration of negotiations regarding the sale of the Russian stake.
https://t.me/relocationrs/3564
The sale of the seized yacht “Royal Romance,” which is linked to Viktor Medvedchuk, has effectively been blocked due to a change in the procedure for the sale of Ukrainian assets located abroad, stated Pavlo Velykorechanin, an expert with the Verkhovna Rada’s Anti-Corruption Committee and former deputy head of ARMA, in an exclusive interview with the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency.
According to him, the mechanism developed in 2023 allowed for the sale of seized assets through the “Prozorro.Sales” system, including assets physically located outside Ukraine.
However, the new government regulation stipulates that the sale of seized property abroad must take place on the basis of an asset-sharing agreement between states.
According to international practice, such a division typically becomes possible only after a final conviction by a court.
As a result, Velikorecchanin estimates that the Royal Romance may remain frozen abroad for several years while the trials in the main criminal cases are ongoing.
“The sale of Medvedchuk’s yacht has reached a dead end—these assets will simply remain frozen abroad for many years,” he stated.
The Royal Romance was previously seized in Croatia. Ukraine had attempted to arrange its sale, with the proceeds to be transferred to the state.
According to The Serbian Economist, wildfires are raging in Croatia. Firefighting efforts are currently concentrated in the Omis area, southeast of Split, and on the Pelješac Peninsula.
The largest fire broke out on the evening of August 13 near the village of Lokva-Rogoznica and, driven by strong winds, quickly spread toward Omis. The fire swept through pine forests and coastal vegetation, damaging homes, cars, and boats. According to the latest estimates by Croatian authorities, the area affected by the fire is approximately 900–1,000 hectares.
The situation proved particularly challenging due to strong winds that constantly changed direction. Croatia’s Chief Fire Officer, Slavko Tucaković, described the events of the night as a “fire storm.” More than 150 firefighters took part in the firefighting efforts, along with Canadair aircraft and units from other regions of the country.
Residents and numerous tourists were evacuated from the most dangerous areas. At one point, there were about 1,500 evacuees at the reception center in Omis. Some people, fleeing the rapidly approaching fire, headed toward the sea.
As of midday on August 14, 40 people required medical attention. Fourteen people remain in the Split hospital, seven of whom are in life-threatening condition. The most severely injured have been diagnosed with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies.
By midday, the situation near Omis had improved significantly. No open flames were visible at the main fire site, and firefighters had moved on to dousing and extinguishing isolated hot spots. However, emergency services continue to operate in the area due to the risk of the fire reigniting.
At the same time, on the morning of August 14, a new large forest fire broke out on the Pelješac Peninsula, in the Kuna Pelješka area near Orebić. A pine forest is burning there; due to strong winds, the fire spread toward populated areas and threatened homes.
The fires have also caused transportation problems. In the Omis area, coastal roads were closed, and on Pelješac, traffic was halted on the section of the road between Prizdrina and Potomje.
Thus, as of 1:00–2:00 p.m. on August 14, the most critical situation along the Croatian coast remains in southern Dalmatia.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Croatia has recommended that Ukrainian citizens temporarily refrain from traveling to the city of Omis and the surrounding resort areas of Dalmatia due to the large-scale forest fires.
The fire broke out on the evening of August 13 in the Lokva-Rogoznica area and quickly spread toward Omis. As of August 14, the region has experienced infrastructure damage, partial power outages, and road closures along sections of the main coastal highway. Firefighting efforts and the evacuation of residents are ongoing.
Ukrainians already in the emergency zone are advised to avoid forested areas and fire zones, follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services, and, if an evacuation is ordered, proceed immediately to designated assembly points.
In the event of a threat to life or health, Ukrainian citizens should contact the embassy’s hotline: +385 91 605 10 10.
https://t.me/relocationrs/3456
According to Serbian Economist, the Italian company Beretta Holding, the Croatian government, and Croatian investor Ivan Kapetanović have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement a project for the country’s first small-caliber ammunition manufacturing plant.
The document was signed on July 30 at the “Banski Dvori” government complex in Zagreb in the presence of Croatian Prime Minister Andriy Plenković. It was signed by Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, Beretta Holding President and CEO Pietro Gussalli Beretta, and Kapetanović.
The plant is planned to be built near the town of Obrovac in Zadar County. The exact location of the site has not yet been officially disclosed.
The total volume of joint investments is estimated at 125 million euros. Beretta is set to receive 50% of the capital of the future joint venture plus one share, which will give the Italian group control. The remaining stake will be divided between the Croatian government and private investor Ivan Kapetanović.
Beretta will also be responsible for technology transfer, supply chain management, and the establishment of production lines. The plant is scheduled to begin operations by mid-2029.
According to Italian media reports, once the plant reaches its design capacity, it will be able to provide approximately 250 jobs and generate 70–80 million euros in annual revenue.
The facility is expected to produce small-caliber ammunition, including rounds for machine guns mounted on armored vehicles, as well as ignition capsules. According to Pietro Gussalli Beretta, some of this ammunition is currently produced at the group’s Swiss facility, while the Beretta plant in Germany is fully occupied with the production of fuses.
The chairman of Beretta Holding described the project as a long-term investment that is not solely tied to the current growth in demand for ammunition. It is expected that the new plant’s products will be supplied not only to the Croatian Army but also to European and global markets.
However, the signed memorandum is currently a framework document. It provides for the further preparation of a final agreement and the establishment of a special project company in Croatia.
Beretta Holding brings together manufacturers of small arms, ammunition, optics, and related equipment. The history of this family-owned company dates back to the 16th century. The group has facilities in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Hungary, the United States, and other countries.
https://t.me/relocationrs/3371
According to Serbian Economist, several major wildfires have been reported in Croatian Dalmatia—on Hvar, in the Šibenik area, in Teljašica Nature Park, in Plata, and near the border with Montenegro, regional media report.
One of the fires near the border with Montenegro has partially spread into Croatian territory. In the Plata area, a forest fire broke out near a power line; local fire departments and emergency services were dispatched to the scene.
On the island of Hvar, a fire broke out in the area of Sv. Nedelja. According to Croatian media reports, the fire engulfed about 10 hectares of pine forest and approached the edges of vineyards. Local firefighters and additional units from the island participated in extinguishing the blaze.
In the Šibenik area, preliminary data indicate that the fire engulfed about 100 hectares of grass, low vegetation, and pine forest. In Telasčića Nature Park, two hotspots remained active—in the area of Jaz Bay and near Mala Proversa, on the eastern side of the park toward the Kornati Islands.
Firefighters, water bombers, an Air Tractor, and other emergency services are involved in extinguishing the fires. In some areas, the situation is complicated by dry vegetation, wind, and difficult-to-access terrain.
For the region, this marks the beginning of a challenging summer period: Dalmatia traditionally remains one of Croatia’s most vulnerable areas in terms of wildfires. The risks are particularly high on the islands, in coastal pine forests, and in areas with high tourist traffic.
There is no talk of a large-scale evacuation of tourists at this time, but authorities and fire departments are urging residents and visitors to the region to monitor official warnings.
The third meeting of the Joint Ukrainian-Croatian Commission on Economic Cooperation took place on June 9, 2026, in Zagreb, according to the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Croatia.
The Ukrainian delegation, which included representatives from several ministries, was led by Ukraine’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Nataliia Kalmykova. The Croatian side was represented by Croatia’s Minister of Economy, Ante Šušnjar.
Following the meeting, the parties signed a final protocol. A Memorandum of Understanding on physical activity and sports was also signed as part of the commission’s work.
During her visit, Kalmykova held working meetings with Croatian Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved, and paid tribute to the fallen defenders of Croatia in the 1991–1995 war.
The parties discussed the implementation of joint projects in the areas of veteran policy, energy, education and science, tourism and sports, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage in the face of external aggression.
For Ukraine, Croatia’s experience is of particular importance in the context of veteran policy, post-war recovery, and the reintegration of defenders into civilian life. Following the 1991–1995 war, Croatia established its own system of support for veterans, and this experience could be useful for Ukrainian government programs.
Ukrainian-Croatian economic cooperation also holds potential in the energy sector, infrastructure, tourism, humanitarian projects, and reconstruction.
