Today marks 17 years since the Battle of Shindisi, one of the most tragic and heroic episodes of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war. On August 11, 2008, 17 Georgian soldiers lost their lives in an unequal confrontation with Russian forces. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, they resisted the occupiers for more than an hour — a stand that became a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

The fallen soldiers are remembered as national heroes:

Aleksandre Oniani, Emzar Tsilosani, Vepkhvia Jishkariani, Zviad Katsadze, Teimuraz Beridze, Ilia Gabunia, Ilia Sheklashvili, Irakli Janelidze, Kakha Koshadze, Levan Melkadze, Marlen Baramia, Mikheil Dvalishvili, Nikoloz Porchkhidze, Roman Zoidze, Ruslan Tsuladze, Felix Kakauridze, and Shmagi Kupatadze.

These names are etched into Georgia’s collective memory — a testament to bravery and the high cost of defending the nation’s sovereignty.

Commemorative events began this morning at the Shindisi Memorial, where families, comrades, and officials gathered to pay tribute to the "Heroes of Shindisi."