August 7, 2026, marks the 18th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Georgia. The war, which lasted approximately five days, claimed the lives of more than 200 Georgian soldiers and over 300 civilians, and displaced thousands. Eighteen years on, the trauma of the conflict continues to resonate deeply across Georgian society.
In the aftermath of the war, Russia formally recognized the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia regions as independent states and significantly expanded its military presence in both territories. August remains a tragic chapter in Georgia’s modern history. The Russian occupation of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) persists to this day. Grave human rights violations against the small remaining ethnic Georgian population are widespread, as are the illegal processes of “borderization,” along with frequent abductions and killings.
While many in Georgia and the West mark the war anniversary on August 7, Georgian Dream leaders, who have increasingly blamed the previous United National Movement (UNM) government for the conflict, typically commemorate the event on August 8.
Civil.ge compiled statements from local politicians, embassies and international partners on the August war anniversary.
Remarks by Opposition Parties/Politicians
Ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia Party: “18 years ago, Russia openly invaded Georgia and occupied the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. We paid a heavy price defending our homeland against the aggressor and pay tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives. Unfortunately, the aggression continues to this day — Georgia’s territories remain occupied, while Moscow has accelerated the process of de facto annexation of the occupied Tskhinvali region. Against the backdrop of these alarming developments, the [Georgian] Dream government has chosen to blame its own country instead of mobilizing the international community, while responding to the ongoing annexation processes with criminal silence.
It is cynical that, on the anniversary of the 2008 war, [Georgian] Dream representatives are more concerned about so-called ‘Russophobia’ than about the occupation and their own citizens who are victims of it. We call on our international community to firmly support Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and condemn the ongoing annexation processes in the occupied territories. Such support is all the more important today amid [Georgian] Dream’s collaborationist policies.”
Tazo Datunashvili, General Secretary of Lelo-Strong Georgia: “We are living in an era of betrayal, when the Prime Minister threatens the citizens of Georgia with imprisonment for not loving Georgia’s enemy – and you should not love Georgia’s enemy… Russia is the enemy… Russia is the reason the lives of the best Georgians were cut short at the age of 20, 25, 30 — those who gave their lives for their homeland. This is a day of memory, this is a day of remembrance.”
Gigi Tsereteli, leader of European Georgia: “These heroes will always live on in our history, in our consciousness. Today the war continues by other means – this is a hybrid war that Russia continues to wage, one for which it is unacceptable that Georgia exists and develops as an independent country.”
Jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili: “…No matter how many centuries pass, future generations of Georgians will remember that we defended our dignity and freedom, pushed back against a ruthless empire, convinced the world we were worthy of its support, and implemented reforms unprecedented on an international scale, that after the heaviest of blows we got back on our feet, continued rapid development, and created the precedent of a truly successful Georgia. Antsukhelidze and the heroes of Shindisi are no longer with us, I will no longer be here, and today’s generations will pass on, but the idea of an eternal Georgia will endure with many transformations – Georgia that is unimaginably brave, talented, and one that, even when no one expects it, rises to its feet every time and emerges victorious from utterly hopeless situations.”
Levan Tsutskiridze, Chair of Freedom Square: “Today marks 18 years since Russia invaded Georgia. This [Russia] is a real Global War Party [referring to Georgian Dream conspiracy on ‘deep state’], a genuine enemy of Georgian statehood, which sows destruction, death, and misfortune everywhere it sets foot. We must not bow our heads to such an enemy, nor hide somewhere, as Georgian Dream does. Instead, we must confront it heroically, with courage and without bending, just as Giorgi Antsukhelidze [Georgian national hero who was tortured to death in 2008] did.”
Embassies/International Reactions
U.S. Embassy Tbilisi: “Today marks the eighteenth anniversary of Russia’s military aggression against Georgia. The United States remains deeply concerned over Russia’s continuing occupation of Georgian territory and condemns the killings, kidnappings, and other abuses that have occurred under Russia’s ongoing occupation. We express our solidarity with the people of Georgia and reaffirm our commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and underline the need for the peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
Joint Statement by France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom Foreign ministries spokespersons: “August 7th is a date when we remember the grave consequences of Russian imperialism. On this day in 2008 the Russian Federation took military action against Georgia, further damaging Georgia’s territorial integrity by occupying the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
18 years after the Russian aggression, we reaffirm our full support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We welcome Republic of Naoero’s decision to withdraw its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We urge states that have established diplomatic relations with these entities to follow this example…
We are concerned about the latest developments in South Ossetia. The “Agreement on Deepening Alliance and Cooperation” signed on 9 May 2026 between Moscow and the de facto authorities of South Ossetia further violates Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in clear breach of international law. This document, as well as the appointment of a Russian citizen to head the region raise concerns on a possible full-fledged annexation of the region, which would not go unanswered…
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Eighteen years ago, Russian forces brutally invaded sovereign Georgia, violating international law as part of Moscow’s imperial policy aimed at subjugating other nations and peoples. The 2008 aggression and occupation of Georgian land, as well as relentless creeping annexation, directly paved the way for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine remains steadfast in supporting Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We will never accept Russia’s illegal occupation of Georgian and Ukrainian lands, nor the “Russian world” that brings only ruin, poverty, and human rights abuses wherever it goes. We call on the international community to increase pressure on Moscow, enforce strict sanctions, and ensure full accountability for Russian crimes. Lasting European peace demands the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the full restoration of international law.”
Latvia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “On the 18th anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Georgia, Latvia reaffirms its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and strongly condemns the occupation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Latvia will continue to support the Georgian people in resisting the Russian occupying forces and their allies.”
Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “18 years ago, Russia launched its war of aggression against Georgia, occupying the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. Lithuania condemns the ongoing unlawful occupation of these regions and remains steadfast in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs: “Already 18 years ago, Russia launched its war against Georgia, demonstrating its contempt for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours. Estonia stands with the people of Georgia and remains steadfast in its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Russia’s continued occupation of parts of Georgia and its full-scale war against Ukraine make clear that the Kremlin continues to rely on force to pursue its ambitions. We reject any attempt to alter internationally recognised borders by force.”
Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Today, 18 years after Russia started its war against Georgia in 2008, Sweden reaffirms its steadfast support for Georgia’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Russia’s ongoing occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia violates international law.”
Poland’s Embassy in Tbilisi: “Eighteen years ago, Russia attacked Georgia. On the anniversary of the aggression, we stand in solidarity with the Georgian people, support Georgia’s territorial integrity, and condemn Russia’s annexation of the separatist regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.”
Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “In August 2008, Russian troops invaded Georgia. 18 years on, the occupation persists. In Georgia as in Ukraine, we once again call on Russia to end its blatant violation of international law and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbours.”
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