“Today marks 17 years since Russia’s invasion of Georgia, a day to remember the victims of war, those who were displaced, and those who lost their lives fighting. We see how deeply Georgians continue to honor the memory of their heroism,” the US Embassy to Georgia wrote on Facebook.

“We stand in solidarity with the Georgian people and reaffirm our unwavering support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” reads the statement.

It has been 17 years since the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. On August 7, 2008, separatist forces commenced intense shelling of Georgian villages, prompting a response from Georgian forces. The following day, Russian occupation troops entered the region. As a result of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia, 411 people lost their lives, approximately 130,000 citizens became IDPs in their own country, numerous villages were destroyed, and the city of Gori, along with strategic facilities, were heavily bombed. Russia continues to occupy 20 per cent of Georgia’s territory to this day.