Georgia-Ukraine draw turns into solidarity show
TBILISI: Georgian football fans rose from the stands chanting “Ukraine! Ukraine!” on Monday as a Nations League match in Tbilisi turned into an outpouring of solidarity between two countries scarred by Russian military aggression.
TBILISI - Georgian football fans united in a display of solidarity with Ukraine on Monday during a Nations League match, transforming the game into a poignant show of mutual sympathy. Although the match itself ended in a goalless draw, the atmosphere off the pitch was far more significant. Georgian supporters chanted "Ukraine! Ukraine!" as Ukrainian fans responded with a powerful banner declaring, "SOUKHUMI IS GEORGIA.
REMEMBER!!!," a reference to the capital of the separatist region of Abkhazia. This gesture was a powerful echo of the deep wounds inflicted by Russian aggression on both nations. The solidarity between Georgia and Ukraine comes at a critical time, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has reignited fears of further Russian military aggression in Georgia.
The 2008 war, during which Russian tanks threatened Tbilisi, remains a painful reminder for Georgians. Since then, Russia has recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states and maintained military bases in those regions. On Monday, Ukraine was already reeling from a fresh wave of Russian attacks, including a devastating drone strike on the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv's historic center that claimed at least one life. Additional strikes across Ukraine resulted in further casualties and injuries.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
