Fallen Georgian fighter buried with military honours in Tsalenjikha

Valeri Badzagua, a 23-year-old Georgian fighter killed in Ukraine, was laid to rest with military honours on Thursday in his home village of Jgali, Tsalenjikha Municipality of western Georgia.

Badzagua’s body was repatriated to Georgia three days ago and received with a ceremonial guard of honour. In tribute, Georgian national flags were flown at half-mast across Tsalenjikha.

He is the fifth native of Tsalenjikha to have died fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.

The funeral was attended by family, friends, local residents, and officials, including Ukraine’s military attaché in Georgia, Colonel Serhiy Kravchuk, who paid his respects.