Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, speaking to journalists at the Mukhatgverdi Brothers Cemetery, called August 8 a tragic date and “a betrayal committed by the then government.” He said the day serves as a reminder that Georgia must be led by a sovereign government guided by national interests rather than external influence.
Kobakhidze stressed that the Georgian Dream party will defend the country’s independence “to the end” to prevent such events from recurring.
“We honor the memory of the more than 400 people who died in the 2008 war, including our heroic soldiers who defended the dignity of our homeland. It is our constant duty to remember each of them. August 8 is a tragic date that underscores the need for a sovereign government committed to protecting our country’s independence, ensuring peace, and safeguarding national interests,” he said.
17 years have passed since the August War. In the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war, 170 employees of the Georgian Ministry of Defense, 14 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and 224 civilians were killed. The total number of wounded and injured civilians and military personnel is 2,232, including 1,045 military personnel.
