The Unforgotten War: 33 Years Since Georgia’s Invasion of Abkhazia

SUKHUM / AQW'A — Today, 14 August 2025, marks 33 years since Georgia launched its war of aggression against the Abkhazian people. On this day in 1992, Georgian forces under the command of Tengiz Kitovani entered Abkhazia with tanks and combat helicopters, igniting a brutal 13-month conflict.

Years later, in the documentary Absence of Will, Eduard Shevardnadze would reflect on that decision, remarking: “Defence Minister Kitovani should never have sent troops to Sukhum. That was our biggest mistake.”

The war concluded on 30 September 1993 with an Abkhazian victory. Yet, as with all wars, this triumph was overshadowed by immense human suffering. Thousands lost their lives on both sides, and nearly every Abkhazian family mourned at least one relative. In proportion, the Abkhazian population suffered losses amounting to 4%—the equivalent of 12 million people if applied to the United States.

+ Georgian-Abkhaz War | FBIS Reports (Aug-Oct. 1992)

+ Origins and Evolutions of the Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict, by Stephen D. Shenfield

+ Thirty-Year Struggle: Georgia and Abkhazia's Lost Opportunities for Dialogue

In the years that followed, Abkhazia endured a crippling embargo imposed by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), spearheaded by Russia and Georgia. Several subsequent attempts by Georgia to retake Abkhazia by force also ended in failure.

Decades of conflict have left the Abkhazian people wary of Georgia and sceptical of the West, which has largely disregarded their perspective while backing Tbilisi. In a 1993 address in London, Abkhazian historian Stanislav Lakoba described the nation’s position as being “between hammer and anvil”—a phrase that continues to reflect Abkhazia’s geopolitical reality between Russia and Georgia.

Even after 33 years, the tragedy, history, and very survival of the Abkhazian people continue to be denied or distorted by much of Georgian society. Our stance remains resolute: just as we prevailed in the war forced upon us 33 years ago, so too will we prevail in this ongoing struggle. Today, we honour the memory of all who gave their lives, and we extend our deepest gratitude to our diaspora, to our brothers and sisters from the North Caucasus, and to the citizens of Abkhazia from every ethnic background who stood by our side.