In pictures | Georgians killed in Ukraine receive hero’s welcome in Tbilisi

The remains of two volunteer Georgian soldiers killed while fighting for Ukraine have returned to Georgia to a hero’s welcome.

Gia Beriashvili and Davit Ratiani were killed on the Irpin front, northwest of Kyiv, on 18 March by Russian mortar fire. Their remains were brought to Tbilisi on the morning of 24 March. 

Family members, relatives, politicians, activists, and ordinary Georgians came to the Tbilisi airport to pay their respects to the fallen fighters. 

Hundreds turned out at Tbilisi Airport early on Thursday morning to pay tribute To Gia Beriashvili and Davit Ratiani. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

At the airport, the Georgian and Ukrainian anthems were heard playing as the cars carrying the soldiers’ coffins slowly drove through a corridor of people kneeling down with lowered flags and lit candles. 

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili came to the airport to pay tribute and express condolences to the Beriashvili and Ratiani’s family members, as did members of several opposition parties. Representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream Party were not present.

Gia Beriashvili was transferred to a church in the Tbilisi Sea Cemetery, while Davit Ratiani’s remains were sent to his home in Tbilisi. 

According to the widow of one of the deceased, the Ministry of Defence has promised they will be buried with military honours.

The two were buried with military honours on Saturday. The Ambassador of Ukraine in Georgia attended Davit Ratiani’s funeral at the Kashueti Church. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze also attended Ratiani’s funeral, the only person from the ruling party to do so.