Georgia preserved its sovereignty by repelling Russian aggression in 2008, UNM official

Senior United National Movement (UNM) member Giorgi Baramidze has said Georgia succeeded in halting Russia's military aggression during the 2008 war, crediting the country's armed forces, government and people with preserving its independence and sovereignty.

Speaking on the 18th anniversary of the August 2008 war, Baramidze said Georgia had managed to withstand Russia's invasion and safeguard its statehood despite the conflict.

"Georgia succeeded in stopping Russian aggression in 2008 and preserving our independence, freedom and sovereignty," he said.

Baramidze argued that the country's survival was the result of the efforts of Georgian soldiers, the government in office at the time and the Georgian people.

He also accused Russia of bringing what he described as its "puppets" to power in Georgia through a "special operation" during the 2012 parliamentary elections, while maintaining that Georgia has remained a sovereign state. He did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

Today marks 18 years since the outbreak of the five-day Russia-Georgia war. According to official Georgian figures, more than 400 people were killed, including 170 military personnel, 19 Interior Ministry officers and 244 civilians. Another 2,234 people were injured, while approximately 26,000 people were displaced by the conflict.