“There is no winner in this war. This war is a tragedy for all, both Abkhazians and Georgians”, said Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia at the Heroes Square in connection with the 27th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi.

Giorgi Gakharia laid a wreath at the memorial of the fallen heroes.

“Today is the day of the greatest pain. We all understand that this is the worst tragedy for Georgians and Abkhazians as well. 20% of Georgia’s territory is occupied, and therefore we all need to understand that we must work hard every day to ensure that our children, Abkhazians and Georgians live together in an economically strong, educated, European state. This is our duty to our children and I am sure we will do it,” stressed PM.

Georgian national flags are flying at half-mast today on all government buildings across the country to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi.

Military confrontation in Abkhazia began on August 14, 1992. Military activities lasted for 13 months and 13 days and ended with the fall of Sokhumi on September 27, 1993.

Russian, North Caucasian and Cossack units stormed the building of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia early on September 27 and captured Zhiuli Shartava, head of the Council of Ministers of Abkhazia, the Mayor of Sokhumi and 27 employees of the Council of Ministers. The captured people who did not leave Sukhumi were shot dead.

The tragic claimed lives of more than 10 thousand Georgian soldiers and civilians based on unverified information. The fall of Sokhumi left about 300 thousand IDPs without homes.