Body of Georgian volunteer killed in Ukraine remains on Russian-controlled territory

The body of 45-year-old Levan Lobzhanidze, who was killed on Saturday by Russian troops near the village of Kyselica, still on the Russian-controlled territory, a Georgian volunteer fighting in Ukraine, Nadim Khmaladze, has posted on social media.  

 

“His commander and Ukrainian fighters are doing their best, at the cost of their lives, to transfer the body to a safe area and allow his repatriation to Georgia”, Khmaladze said, and added “Georgians and Ukrainians do not leave [the bodies of their fellow fighters] on the battlefield. But we do not want to add a few more lives either”. 

 

He noted another Georgian volunteer injured along with lobzhanidze felt well. 

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia told RFE/RL that the Embassy of Georgia in Ukraine  was taking “all actions possible” for the repatriation of the body. 

 

More than 50 Georgian volunteers have been killed in Ukraine by the Russian military since the outbreak of hostilities in February 2022.