“Latvia remembers the victims of Russia’s aggression against Georgia 17 years ago,” the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on Facebook.

“We condemn the unlawful invasion and stand firmly for Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right of its people to choose their own future,” the Ministry added.

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.