Georgian flags at half-mast marking 102nd anniversary of Soviet occupation

Georgian national flags are flying at half-mast outside the Government offices across the country today, in remembrance of the soldiers and civilians who died during the Soviet invasion 102 years ago. 

The flags are set to half-staff at Georgian diplomatic missions and consulates abroad as well.

On this day in 1921, Georgia lost its independence and was occupied by the Red Army, which took over Tbilisi, overthrew the government and subsequently annexed the country. 

The Georgian parliament first officially marked February 25 as the day of the Soviet occupation in 2010 to commemorate victims of the invasion and the loss of the three-year independence of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.