Georgian soldier killed in Afghanistan buried in hometown Rustavi

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.

Hundreds of mourners including Government officials attended the funeral of Vasil Kuljanishvili today at Saint George’s Cathedral in Rustavi, about 30km from capital Tbilisi.

Military servicemen and members of the public lined the main street waving Georgia’s national flag in honour of the Georgian soldier, who died while patrolling Bagram Air Base on September 22.

After the funeral Kuljanishvili was buried at Rustavi City Cemetery.

People gathered at Rustavi church to honor the soul of the late Georgia soldier. Photo by Security Service. 

Georgia’s Vice Prime Minister Kakha Kaladze, Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili, United States Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly and other top officials attended the funeral ceremony. 

Georgia’s Prime Minister, President and several Ministers did not attend the funeral as they are in the United States attending the 70th United Nations General Assembly.

Georgian officials attending the funeral ceremony. Photo by Vise-Premier's webpage. 

The bravery and professionalism of the young soldier was highlighted by several officials in their eulogy of Kuljanishvili.

New US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly expressed, on behalf of the US, his "heartfelt condolences” to the people of Georgia "for the loss of one of Georgia’s bravest and most heroic sons”.

I just want to say at this very, very sad time that our hearts go out to the family of Vasil, to his friends and to all the Georgian people [and I want] to assure you that the United States stands with Georgia at this very difficult time,” said Kelly.

US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly attended the funeral ceremony with his wife. Photo by Defence Ministry of Georgia. 

Kuljanishvili was killed on September 22 by enemy fire while patrolling Bagram Air Base. Later that day NATO confirmed one Resolute Service member had died "as a result of an enemy attack”.

Paata Rostobaia, another Georgian serviceman who was patrolling alongside Kuljanishvili, suffered severe injuries after being shot in the attack. 

Kuljanishvili was the 31st Georgian soldier to lose his life while involved in a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan since 2010.

Yesterday Georgia’s Defence Ministry revealed Rostobaia was undergoing medical treatment in Germany and was recovering well.

The NATO website stated Georgia committed about 885 troops to the Resolute Support mission, meaning the country remained the largest non-NATO contributor to Afghanistan. The Resolute Support mission was a follow-on task from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, to which Georgia contributed about 750 troops.