Georgia Lowers Flags to Mark 18th Anniversary of Russia–Georgia War

State flags have been lowered at the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and across Georgia to commemorate those killed during the 2008 Russia–Georgia war, as the country marks the 18th anniversary of the conflict.

In accordance with a government decree, flags are flying at half-mast at the Government Administration, the Presidential Palace, Parliament, the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, and all administrative buildings nationwide. Georgian diplomatic missions abroad have also lowered their flags.

The measure honors the memory of those who lost their lives during Russia’s large-scale military intervention in Georgia, which Tbilisi says was aimed at the illegal occupation of the country’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions.

Georgia is commemorating the 18th anniversary of the outbreak of the August 2008 war.