UPDATED: Body of Georgian soldier killed in Afghanistan returns home
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Updated: 4.20pm
A plane carrying the body of Georgian soldier Vasil Kuljanishvili has touched down on Georgian soil.
Kuljanishvili’s body was met by members of his family and several officials at Tbilisi International Airport this afternoon.
Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili and the new United States Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly were among those gathered as to pay tribute to Kuljanishvili, who was killed on Tuesday while on a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.
Margvelashvili noted the "great service” of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) personnel serving in Afghanistan while the US Ambassador said he was "impressed” by the fallen soldier’s bravery while on duty.
President Margvelashvili offers the condolences to the Kuljanishvili's family. Photo by President's press office.
Both officials offered their condolences to Kuljanishvili’s family.
Kuljanishvili’s body was met by members of his family and several officials including Defence Minister Tinatin Khidasheli, Chief of the General Staff of the GAF Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze, Interior Minister Giorgi Mghebrishvili and other public officials.
Earlier: 3.12pm
The body of a Georgian soldier killed while serving in Afghanistan will be flown home to Georgia following a ceremony at Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base today.
The homage ceremony for Georgian Armed Forces’ serviceman Vasil Kuljanishvili, killed while on duty during a Resolute Support mission patrol on Tuesday, was attended by Georgia’s Senior Military Representative to Afghanistan Colonel Giorgi Bliadze alongside Bagram Air Base Commander Major General James Rainey and Task Force Solid Commander Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Miller, among other national military commanders.
The ceremony also saw involvement of the III Infantry Brigade 31st Battalion Commander Captain Giorgi Jalaghonia as well as command and personnel of the IV Mechanised Brigade 43rd Battalion, the unit Kuljanishvili served with.
The ceremony in Afghanistan was attended by Georgian and international military commanders and personnel. Photo from the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.
The deceased soldier will be buried at a cemetery in Georgia’s south-eastern city of Rustavi, Kuljanishvili’s family said.
On Wednesday Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili expressed his "deepest sorrow” over Kuljanishvili’s death. The state will give 100,000 GEL compensation to Kuljanishvili’s family and will cover all funeral expenses.
A second soldier, Paata Rostobaia, was injured in Tuesday’s incident. Military doctors said he was in a stable condition and had been transferred to Germany for specialist medical care.
Since 2010 Georgia – the largest non-NATO contributor to the Alliance’s peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan – has lost 31 soldiers while on duty in the country.
The Resolute Support mission, which follows on from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) campaign, involves 750 personnel of the Georgian Armed Forces.
One Georgian serviceman has been killed and another has been injured while on duty in Afghanistan. Both soldiers were part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.
Georgian soldiers are officially engaged in the Resolute Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan.
A Georgian soldier, who was seriously injured in an attack that left a Georgian soldier dead while patrolling in Afghanistan last week, is responding well to treatment and on the road to recovery.
A 21-year-old Georgian soldier who died while on duty in a NATO peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan has been farewelled in a poignant funeral service in his hometown city Rustavi.
Georgian troops will continue to serve in Afghanistan in a NATO-led peacekeeping mission after 2017.
One hundred Georgians soldiers have returned home after serving six months in Afghanistan in a NATO-led peacekeeping mission.
Georgian soldiers serving in an international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan have received warm wishes and Christmas greetings via letters written by some of Georgia’s younger citizens.
Georgia’s Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli paid a visit in Afghanistan to meet with Georgian soldiers serving there in an international peacekeeping mission and to obtain information concerning their problems and received experience.
A report about Georgia’s international military role stated Georgian soldiers "can be assigned any mission, including direct combat,” indicating the highest level of military readiness of Georgian servicemen.
A special memorial has been built at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan paying homage to a Georgian soldier who was killed last year while serving there in a NATO peacekeeping mission.
"You are the face, identity and dignity of the Georgian state,” said Georgia’s Minister of Defence Tinatin Khidasheli as she addressed a group of servicemen who are today leaving for Afghanistan to fight for international peace.
Yesterday Minister of Defence of Georgia Tinatin Khidasheli hosted director of the Allied Forces Foundation (AFF) Stuart Taylor and discussed the need to establish a universal system that would provide urgent support to soldiers in need.
Emotions were high in Tbilisi today as the group of soldiers from the 22nd Battalion of the II Infantry Brigade of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) touched down Georgian soil before being greeted by Defence Ministry officials.
A memorial built to honour the Georgian soldiers who died while serving in Afghanistan has opened in capital Kabul today.
Hundred Georgian soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Brigade officially launch their participation in the NATO Resolute Support Mission today.
Defence ministers of the Train Advise Assist Command – North, which provides assistance to Afghan national defence in the frame of the NATO Resolute Support Mission (RSM), have met in Brussels to discuss regional challenges and make plans for future peace activities.