“The United National Movement is engaging in speculation and further treacherous actions, the same behaviour they exhibited when in power. Today they continue to act against Georgia’s state interests,” Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani stated at Mukhatgverdi Brothers’ Cemetery during memorial commemorations for the 2008 war.

Chikovani emphasised that caring for those who fought for the homeland remains a top priority for the current government.

“Today is the gravest day in modern Georgian history. Seventeen years have passed since the Russo-Georgia war. Here rest those soldiers, those brave men, those sons of Georgia who defended their homeland and gave the most precious thing of all for their country, their own lives.

We, as the entire Defence Forces and Defence Ministry, and I personally, will do everything to carry their memory worthily and, of course, assist their families in every way possible,” Chikovani stated.

He characterised the action of the previous administration as betrayal.

“Unfortunately, the United National Movement is engaging in speculation and further treacherous actions, the same behaviour they exhibited when in power. Today, they continue to act against Georgia’s state interests. I want to emphasise that caring for those people who fought for our homeland, for those who are part of our defence, represents one of our most important priorities today,” the Defence Minister declared.

It has been 17 years since the 2008 Russo-Georgian war. On August 7, 2008, separatist forces commenced intense shelling of Georgian villages, prompting a response from Georgian forces. The following day, Russian occupation troops entered the region. As a result of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia, 411 people lost their lives, approximately 130,000 citizens became IDPs in their own country, numerous villages were destroyed, and the city of Gori, along with strategic facilities, were heavily bombed. Russia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Georgia’s territory to this day.