Republika Srpska (1992–95) the Serb people in Bosnia and Herzegovina: At the same session, the Bosnian Serb assembly voted to create the Army of the Republika Srpska ("VRS") ("Vojska Republike Srpske"), and appointed Ratko Mladić, the commander of the Second Military District of the Yugoslav federal army, as commander of the VRS Main Staff. At the end of May 1992, after the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Second Military District was essentially transformed into the Main Staff of the VRS. The new army immediately set out to achieve by military means the six "strategic objectives" of the Serbian people
1992 Bosnian independence referendum volunteers had attacked the predominantly Croat town of Ravno in September 1991, Bosnian Serb policemen fired upon Bosniak populated areas of Šipovo during which 3,000 Bosniaks fled, and Serb paramilitary units targeted Foča, Višegrad, Zvornik, Bijeljina, and other towns in east Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the month of recognition, the siege of Sarajevo began, by which time the Bosnian Serb Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) controlled 70% of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 1992 Bosnian independence referendum An independence referendum was held in Bosnia and Herzegovina between 29 February and 1 March 1992, following the first free elections of 1990 and the