Zaharinka Mitrovska
Zaharinka Mitrovska | |
|---|---|
 Mitrovska in 2011 | |
| Nickname(s) | Mama Bear |
| Born | 4 December 1969 Hradilov, Makedon |
| Allegiance |  Syara |
| Service/ | Syaran National Army |
| Years of service | 1988-2014 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | XXXV Corps |
| Battles/wars | Imerti Conflict Zemplen War |
| Awards | see below |
Zaharinka Mitrovska is a Syaran former general most known for commanding XXXV Corps of the Syaran National Army during the Zemplen War.
An ethnic Makedonian, Mitrovska was born to a family of ardent Wardens who's service during the Refusal War helped secure Mitrovska a commission into the Syaran Commonality Armed Forces in 1988 as a Captain. Mitrovska spent much of her career in the the logistics and supply corps, earning the rank of Brigadier General in 2005 just before the outbreak of the Imerti Conflict, during which she helped organize Syaran reinforcements that secured Imerti from Ruvelkan forces. In 2007 she was promoted to Major General and tasked with overseeing the logistics of all Syaran army forces in Hayreniky. After the start of the Zemplen War, Mitrovska was assigned as the chief of staff of XXXV Corps, taking part in Operation Aspis under Army Group Beta. Following the Ruvelkan Winter Counter-Offensive, Mitrovska was given command of XXXV Corps and promoted to Lieutenant General. As part of Operation Synaspismos XXXV Corps struck against Ruvelkan defenses between Albertirsa and Aszód, successfully rupturing Ruvelkan lines and cutting off Aszód from the rest of Ruvelka. XXXV Corps then surrounded the city, but it refused to surrender, resulting in a protracted siege. XXXV Corps would spend the rest of the war stuck in its position, with Mitrovska repeatedly refusing demands she assault the city out of fear of heavy casualties. The siege was broken and XXXV Corps forced to retreat during Operation Homefront, withdrawing back to Hayreniky.
Mitrovska left the Army in 2014 and wrote her memoirs, during which she was highly critical of Syaran leadership during the war. Her book became a best seller within Syara, and afterwards became a public speaker and advocate for Syaran veterans and military families. While in uniform Mitrovska was considered a capable and reliable organizer and administrator, while some of her peers considered her overcautious and unwilling to take risk. She was well liked by her troops, whom she often strived to ensure were as well supplied and fed as possible, leading her to be affectionately nicknamed "Mama Bear". She is often compared to Emanuel Bilić, commanding officer of 8th Army, whom she served alongside with in Army Group Beta.