Volunteers from Adygea Receive Long-Awaited Honours for Their Service in the Georgian-Abkhazian War

SUKHUM / AQW'A ―  Volunteers from Adygea, who took part in the Patriotic War of the Abkhazian people (Georgian-Abkhazian war) in 1992-1993, were presented with state awards of Abkhazia in Maykop.

The award ceremony was held at the Republican Institute of Humanitarian Research, attended by the Chairman of the Adygea Committee for Nationalities Affairs, Relations with Compatriots, and Media, Asker Shkhalakhov.

The awards were presented by Avtandil Surmanidze, Deputy Head of the Sukhum Administration.

Rismag Adzhindzhal, Advisor to the President of Abkhazia on Cooperation with North Caucasus Veteran Volunteers, reported that 13 individuals were honored with one of the highest military awards of Abkhazia - the Order of Leon. One serviceman received the "For Courage" medal, and 90 individuals were awarded the commemorative "For Victory" medals.

"Documents were reviewed to identify volunteers who participated in significant events that influenced the course of the war. Unfortunately, the individuals being honoured today had not received any awards for 30 years," said Rismag Adzhindzhal.

Representatives of the Abkhazian delegation noted that Abkhazia and Adygea have historically had strong, long-standing ties. They recalled that during and after the war years, Abkhazia was grateful for the assistance provided by volunteers from Adygea.

Many Abkhazians were welcomed in the fraternal republic, where they found employment, social support, and opportunities for higher education.