“There is no winner in the battle between the brothers and success can be achieved only through joint efforts,” said Georgian President, Salome Zurabishvili regarding the 27th anniversary of the fall of Sokhumi.

“Abkhazians, as well as all other citizens of Georgia, must realize that only together and with joint efforts we can heal the wounds of the past and lay the foundation for a brighter tomorrow for our future generations,” stated the President.

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.