“17 years ago today, by launching a war against Georgia, Russia clearly demonstrated its aggressiveness & its desire to cling to an imperial past,” Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsakhna, wrote on X.

“Today, Estonia reaffirms its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will neither forget nor ever recognize the ongoing occupation of its territory,” Tsakhna said.

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.

17 years ago today, by launching a war against Georgia, Russia clearly demonstrated its aggressiveness & its desire to cling to an imperial past.

Today, Estonia reaffirms its full support for Georgia’s sovereignty & territorial integrity.

We will neither forget nor ever… pic.twitter.com/DKDpvIJW5s

— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) August 7, 2025