Heroism of servicemembers killed in 2008 war a responsibility to “maintain peace for better future” - Georgian Reconciliation Minister
Tea Akhvlediani, the Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, on Thursday paid tribute to the Georgian soldiers who fell in the Shindisi Battle of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Photo: State Ministry for Reconciliation and Civil Equality press office
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Tea Akhvlediani, the Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, said on Thursday the “deeds and heroism” of Georgian servicemembers killed in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war placed a “big responsibility” on the Government to ensure peaceful development of the country, in comments commemorating the anniversary of a battle in central Georgia’s Shindisi village during the conflict where a group of Georgian soldiers heroically lost their lives in an unequal engagement with the invading forces.
In her remarks, Akhvledinai suggested that August 11 - the date of the clash - was both “one of the most outstanding episodes of Georgian history and one of the tragic days” that saw most of the Georgian soldiers who engaged the enemy killed in the battle.
The Shindisi Battle is one of the most remarkable episodes of heroism in the history of Georgia, but also one of the most tragic days with the loss of 17 young men in an unequal encounter with the Russian troops. The dedication and the heroism place a huge responsibility [on the Government] to do its utmost to maintain peace and ensure peaceful development of the country”, Akhvlediani said.
In the engagement, a 21-member detachment of Georgian soldiers came face-to-face with Russian troops in the village of Shindisi on the fourth day after the start of the conflict.
Being greatly outnumbered, they were ordered to surrender by the Russian troops but issued a strong refusal and inflicted significant losses on the enemy in a 45-minute subsequent uneven battle that also left 17 of the 21 Georgian servicemembers killed.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday commemorated a group of Georgian soldiers who heroically lost their lives during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war in a battle in central Georgia’s Shindisi village.In his comments, Garibashvili said the Shindisi Battle was “one of the most impressive and outstanding battles in modern Georgian history”.
Georgia’s Defence Ministry and servicemembers of the Defence Forces on Saturday paid tribute to those who died in the 1993 Battle of Tamishi during the war in Georgia’s northeastern region of Abkhazia.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and President Salome Zurabishvili have paid tribute to the 17 soldiers who lost their lives in the Shindisi battle, during the Russia-Georgia war in 2008.
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 12 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.
Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday commemorated a group of Georgian soldiers who lost their lives in an unequal engagement with Russian forces in central Georgia’s Shindisi village during the 2008 war between the two states by saying “our future generation grows up on the story of Shindisi’s heroes”.
Georgia’s Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Thursday revealed Government plans to commemorate the Georgian servicemembers who fell in the Shindisi Battle of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war by opening a monument and a museum in their memory.
Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze on Monday paid a tribute to the memory of fallen servicemembers to mark Day of Commemoration of the Dead, a holiday for Orthodox Christian followers.