Georgian Prime Minister lays wreath at Cadets Memorial fallen in 1921 Red Army invasion

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Sunday laid a wreath at the Memorial of Cadets, fallen in Kojori-Tabakhmela battles near the country’s capital Tbilisi against the Red Army in 1921.

Marking the Soviet invasion of Georgia 103 years ago, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and representatives of the legislative body also paid their tributes to the memory of the young heroes.

Georgian national flags are flying at half-mast outside the Government offices across the country, as well as at diplomatic missions and consulates abroad, in remembrance of the soldiers and civilians who died during the Soviet invasion.

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. 

February 25 is declared as the day of the Soviet occupation by the resolution of the Georgian Parliament.