The President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili on Thursday handed over the Order of the National Hero of Georgia to the family of Aleksandre Oniani, one of the 2008 Shindisi Battle heroes, in Zhakhunderi village of Lentekhi district.
President’s press office said Aleksandre Oniani was awarded posthumously the Order of National Hero on August 11, 2021, “for his special bravery, outstanding heroism and self-sacrifice in the fight for the protection and unity of the Motherland.”
“It is paramount for the country to have individuals like Aleksandre Oniani,” the President noted.
Shindisi Battle took place on August 11, 2008, during Russia’s invasion of Georgia. Seventeen soldiers died defending Georgia’s territorial integrity against Russian occupation forces.
The 17 member detachment of the II Infantry Brigade of Armed Forces of Georgia engaged in an unequal battle near Shindisi railway station with Russian forces. The Russians were several times more in number with a heavy weapon. The battle lasted more than one hour, during which the occupational forces had to twice call for reinforcements. 17 Georgian soldiers fought till the end.
By Ana Dumbadze
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