17 years ago, on the night of August 7-8, 2008, the world witnessed a horrific military adventure by the Georgian Armed Forces, who subjected the peacefully sleeping town of Tskhinval to massive artillery shelling and assault. This unprovoked aggression took the lives of hundreds of civilians, leaving a deep wound in the hearts of all residents of the region.

South Ossetia, which had been fighting for its right to self-determination for decades, once again proved its will to freedom and independence in August 2008.

Thanks to the courage of the defenders of the Fatherland, the timely response of the Russian Federation and the operation carried out to force Georgia to peace, the aggression was stopped. On August 26, 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia, restoring historical justice.

The Republic of Abkhazia, well aware of the price of Georgian aggression in the events of 1992-1993, expresses its full solidarity with the fraternal people of South Ossetia.

We honor the memory of the innocent victims and all who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of South Ossetia on this mournful day.