PM pays tribute to “heroes” fallen in 2008 war with Russia, hails “exemplary heroism”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Monday laid wreaths at the memorial for the servicemembers killed in the 2008 war with Russia and reiterated the country and its citizens had experienced  “greatest tragedy” in the conflict. 

[W]e went through the greatest tragedy during the August War, we lost many people, our fellow citizens, heroes, [with] our military show[ing] us truly exemplary heroism, dedication [and] self-sacrifice”, Garibashvili said in his remarks over the 14th anniversary of the Russian invasion that sparked the five-day war between the two states in 2008 and the ongoing Russian occupation of two Georgian regions. 

The head of the Government stressed the Georgian military had defended the country "with dignity", sacrificing themselves and saving the lives of fellow citizens.

"Once again, I bow before their memory and I want to wish our country peace and the unification”, said Garibashvili, who met family members of the fallen soldiers at the Mukhatgverdi Fraternal Cemetery outside Tbilisi as part of events marking the date.