The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine has published a statement in connection with the 13th anniversary of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Georgia.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – August 08, 2021 – Ukraine News
August 8, 2021 marks 13 years since the beginning of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Georgia.
“As a result of Russia’s defiant policy of aggression, which systematically disregards the rules of international law, the sovereign territories of Georgia – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia – have long been under Russian occupation. Ukraine reaffirms its consistent and strong support for Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, as well as its commitment to a strategic partnership between our states, ”the Foreign Ministry said.
Ukrainian diplomats also added that: “The Russian Federation bears full responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation in the occupied territories and must immediately ensure unimpeded access to them by international humanitarian and human rights organizations.”
“We call on the international community to continue to put pressure on the Russian Federation to fulfill its obligations under the Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008, to withdraw troops from the occupied territories of Georgia – Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region / South Ossetia – and to take other measures to demilitarization and de-occupation of these Georgian territories, ”the agency summed up.
On the morning of August 8, Russian troops illegally crossed the Russian-Georgian border and advanced into the conflict zone in South Ossetia. Russia accused Georgia of “aggression against South Ossetia” and launched a large-scale ground, air, and sea invasion of Georgia with the stated goal of “forcing peace.” The Russians fought Georgian forces in and around South Ossetia for several days, until Georgian troops retreated, defending Tbilisi.
It is noteworthy that the war in Georgia began on the opening day of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
In Abkhazia, the Russians opened a second front, attacking the Kodori Gorge in Georgia. The Russian Navy blocked part of the Georgian coast. Russian aircraft attacked targets outside the conflict zone, in all parts of Georgia.
The presidents of Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia, as well as the prime minister of Latvia, arrived in Tbilisi on August 12 to express solidarity with the Georgian people.
This was the first war in history in which cyberwar coincided with hostilities. The information war was also fought during and after the conflict. The then President of France Nicolas Sarkozy agreed on August 12 with the then President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev on a ceasefire.
Russian troops have temporarily occupied the Georgian cities of Zugdidi, Senaki, Poti, and Gori, keeping the area out of the ceasefire. The Russians have destroyed most of Georgia’s ethnic villages in South Ossetia and are responsible for the ethnic cleansing of Georgians and war crimes. Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia on August 26, and the Georgian government severed diplomatic relations with Russia. Russia has largely completed the withdrawal of troops from undisputed parts of Georgia on October 8.
According to the Georgian side, the armed conflict in 2008 killed 407 people, 169 of whom were servicemen, 14 – police officers, and 224 – civilians. More than 1.7 thousand people were injured and injured.
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Source: Ukrgate