Today, Georgia commemorates seventeen heroes who died in the Shindisi battle on August 11 during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

“Shindisi battle heroes set the example of one of the most outstanding sacrifices in our history. This day assures us that there are no small or big battles because any battle may turn into a lesson of serving the homeland for future generations,” Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili wrote on Facebook.

Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani laid wreaths at the memorial of Shindisi Battle Heroes in Gori.

Georgian government initiated, and the President decided to grant one of the participants of the Shindisi Battle, Minor Sergeant Giorgi Oniani, the highest state award Order of Georgian National Hero.

Thirteen years ago, on August 11, a 21-member detachment of Georgian soldiers came face-to-face with Russian soldiers in Shindisi Village. The Russians greatly outnumbered Georgians and advised the Georgians to surrender, but they refused. The uneven battle continued for 45 minutes. All but four Georgian soldiers died in the fight.