Georgia is commemorating today a group of soldiers who lost their lives during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war in a battle in Shindisi village in central Georgia.
On the day 13 years ago a 21-member detachment of Georgian soldiers came face-to-face with Russian soldiers in the village of Shindisi.
The Russians greatly outnumbered the Georgian soldiers and ordered them to surrender, but they refused.
The uneven battle continued for 45 minutes.
Despite being greatly outnumbered, Georgians inflicted significant damage on their enemy. All but four of the Georgian soldiers died in the fight.
We will never surrender. #ShindisiBattle 13 years ago is the example. On these days ????????commemorates those man and women in uniform who sacrificed their lives during the #RussianInvasion of Georgia in 2008. #ShindisiHeros #RussianOccupationWillEnd pic.twitter.com/3ThvsyHYhM
— Lasha Darsalia (@LashaDarsalia2) August 11, 2021
One of the fallen soldiers in the Shindisi battle Aleksandre Oniani has been posthumously granted the title of national hero earlier today.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that the day ‘confirms there are no large and small battles. Any battle may become a brilliant example of devotion.’
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said that the Shindisi battle is the page in the Georgian history ‘we should be very proud of.’
The country which has such devoted soldiers has no reason to mourn or stay hopeless,” Zurabishvili said.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality Tea Akhvlediani, Interior Minister Vakhtag Gomelauri also praised the devotion of the soldiers and described the date ‘as one of the most important days in Georgian history.’