Georgia lowers flags to honour victims on 17th anniversary of 2008 war with Russia

Georgia has marked the 17th anniversary of the 2008 war with Russia by lowering national flags across the country and at its diplomatic missions abroad in honour of those who lost their lives in the conflict.

According to a government directive signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, flags have been flown at half-mast on all administrative buildings nationwide, including the Presidential Palace, Parliament, and ministries, as well as in Georgia’s embassies and consulates around the world.

“The flags are lowered in tribute to the memory of those who died as a result of the large-scale military intervention carried out by Russia on the territory of Georgia, aimed at the illegal occupation of the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions,” the statement reads.

The war, which began in early August 2008, claimed the lives of over 400 people and left more than 2,200 injured. Among the wounded were over 1,000 members of the armed forces. Nineteen employees of Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs also perished during the hostilities.

Flags were lowered at the Government Administration in Tbilisi, the Ministry of Defence and military bases across the country, as well as in regional and local government buildings, including in the Autonomous Republics of Adjara and Abkhazia.

The five-day war in 2008 erupted over the breakaway region of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and resulted in Russian forces taking control of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Moscow later recognised both territories as independent states - a move condemned by Georgia and much of the international community, which continues to regard the regions as integral parts of Georgian territory.