Today, the Republic of Abkhazia commemorates a tragic date – the 33rd anniversary of the Lata tragedy, which took the lives of more than 80 people, including 35 children, overnight during the 1992-1993 Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia.

On December 14, 1992, troops of the State Council of Georgia shot down a Russian MI-8 helicopter evacuating women and children from the town of Tkuarchal, which was besieged by Georgian occupiers. All passengers and crew members on board died.

The Statement of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia on December 15, 1992, said:

"A terrible tragedy has befallen Abkhazia." It shocked the Abkhazian people with its cynicism and inhumanity. On the evening of December 14, 1992, a Russian Armed Forces MI-8 helicopter, carrying out a humanitarian flight from the besieged mining town of Tkuarchal to Gudauta, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over the mountain village of Lata, located in the zone of control of Georgian occupation forces. More than 20 children died as a result of this fascist attack. There were also women, wounded, doctors, and nurses on board.

Not long ago, the world shuddered when Georgian militants opened fire on a bus carrying women, children, and elderly people in South Ossetia. They then massacred the Ossetians. Today Shevardnadze's guards are exterminating the Abkhazians.

The Georgian side bears full responsibility for this atrocity. It's no coincidence that the helicopter carrying Abkhazian refugees was shot down on December 14, exactly four months since the start of Georgia's military operations against Abkhazia."

On this sad day, we honor the memory of the innocent victims and share the pain of their losses with their families and loved ones. The memory of the victims of the Lata tragedy will always live in our hearts.