Georgia marks 17th anniversary of Shindisi battle

Georgia is marking 17 years since the Battle of Shindisi, one of the most symbolic episodes of the August 2008 war with Russia.

On 11 August 2008, a platoon from the Georgian army’s 2nd Infantry Brigade encountered Russian forces from the 53rd Army near the village of Shindisi. According to official accounts, the Georgian soldiers ran out of ammunition during the clash. Wounded troops reportedly refused to surrender and detonated their last grenade, killing themselves rather than being taken prisoner.

Seventeen Georgian servicemen were killed in the battle, including Aleksandre Oniani, Emzar Tsilosani, Vepkhvia Jishkariani, Zviad Katsadze, Teimuraz Beridze, Ilia Gabunia, Ilia Shekhlashvili, Irakli Janelidze, Kakha Koshadze, Levan Melkadze, Marlen Baramia, Mikheil Dvalishvili, Nikoloz Porchkhidze, Roman Zoidze, Ruslan Tsuladze, Feliks Kakauridze and Shmagi Kupatadze.