According to the President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili, the self-sacrifice of the heroes of Shindisi is a proud page of the history of Georgia, which together with the shed blood nurtures hope for the future.

"13 years have passed since the battle of Shindisi. Today, Georgia will honor the immortal memory of 17 heroes dedicated to the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the homeland. On August 11, 2008, seventeen Georgian soldiers lost their lives in an unequal battle with the enemy in the village of Shindisi. The self-sacrifice of the heroes of Shindisi is a proud page in the history of Georgia, which, together with the shed blood, nurtures hope for the future. A country for whose soldiers the freedom of the homeland and land and water are more precious than their own lives has no excuse for mourning and despair.

On this day, by the decision of the President of Georgia, the highest state award, the Order of the National Hero of Georgia was awarded to the junior sergeant, Alexander Oniani, who fought to the end with selflessness and did not surrender alive to the enemy. Due to existing restrictions, the award ceremony will not be held today to the extent required by the title of National Hero. As soon as the restrictions are lifted, an award ceremony will be planned", - the Georgian president said in a statement.