“Members of the United National Movement, Iakobashvili, Lomaia, and others, used to claim that they engaged in military hostilities with separatists and thanked Russia,” stated Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to the Prime Minister, Russia is still occupying twenty per cent of Georgia’s territories, and there is no justification for Russia’s actions.

“If we were to invade Tskhinvali or Sokhumi tomorrow, it would be an act of crime and betrayal on our part, for it would be nothing more than an adventure. Since this morning, the United National Movement party has been claiming that they are engaged in hostilities against the separatists and that Russia is behaving well. That is what the United National Movement party has been asserting; all else is mere ‘UNM narrative.’ Representatives of the United National Movement, such as Iakobashvili, Lomaia, and others, have spoken openly about conducting hostilities against the separatists and have expressed their gratitude towards Russia,” said the Prime Minister.

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.