December 14 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Lata Tragedy. 32 years ago, on December 14, 1992, during the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia of 1992-1993, troops of the State Council of Georgia shot down a Russian MI-8 helicopter over the mountain village of Lata, which was transporting refugees from the besieged town of Tkuarchal to the town of Gudauta.

The press service of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Abkhazia reported: “Today, December 14, 1992, at 16:39, the MI-8 helicopter of the Russian Armed Forces, which was carrying out a humanitarian flight from the blockaded 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 the Georgian occupation forces. The helicopter fell on the mountainside and exploded. According to preliminary data, there were more than 20 children on board, as well as women, the wounded, doctors, and nurses. The terrible tragedy that befell Abkhazia shocks the people of the republic with its cynicism and inhumanity.”

As a result of the terrible tragedy, the lives of all passengers and crew members were cut short overnight: more than 80 people, including 8 pregnant women and 35 children.

This inhuman bloody crime committed by the Georgian aggressor has no statute of limitations.

On this sad day, we honor the loving memory of the innocent victims and share the pain of irreparable loss with their families and friends.

The memory of the victims of the Lata tragedy will always be alive in the hearts of our people and will be passed on from generation to generation.