“Seventeen years ago, brave young men denied Russia the right to occupy our country, yet now, 17 years later, we witness how the regime prosecutes heroes, claiming it was all supposedly for publicity,” declared Levan Khabeishvili, Chairman of the Political Council of the United National Movement.

According to him, Georgia must be liberated from the occupation that Bidzina Ivanishvili [founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party] is conducting alongside his Russian allies.

“Seventeen years have passed since these brave lads stood against our country’s enemies, the Russians, and prevented the occupation of our nation. It’s a tragic reality that 17 years later, Ivanishvili’s regime has managed, together with Putin, to place all of Georgia under Russian rule today. However, we must understand that these fellows’ blood must not have been shed in vain, and Georgia must be freed from this occupation that Ivanishvili is orchestrating with his Russian associates in Georgia.

After 17 years, we’ve witnessed once again how the regime prosecutes heroes, how it claims that everything was supposedly done for publicity. Rather than recognising their sacrifice, the so-called Tsulukiani Commission, that treacherous commission, reminded us of itself by effectively putting generals on trial. These people tried absolutely everything, asking generals: ‘Where were you firing from? Were you launching ballistic missiles at the Russians?’

If given the chance, I would drop a ballistic missile on Putin’s residence for what he has done not only to Georgians and Georgian citizens, but also for what he continues to do globally through his terrorist activities.

Therefore, on this 17th anniversary, we face an uncompromising struggle against the actual Russian authorities. In honour of these lads’ memory, for their souls, we are duty-bound to fight until victory. I call upon every Georgian citizen to stand together and remain united,” stated Levan Khabeishvili.

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.