The 30th anniversary of the bloody battles on Riv. Gumista is celebrated in Tbilisi. Eight months after the commencement of the military conflict in Abkhazia, the armed forces of Georgia were able to repulse the massive attack of the joint forces of Russia and Abkhazians in 1993, March 14-16, which aimed to capture Sukhumi.

“Ekhokavkaza” interviewed Major General Koba Kobaladze, Director of LEPL State Service of Veteran Affairs who was the active participant of the Gumista battles.

- 30 years have passed by since the bloody battles at the Gumista bridge, you commemorate these events on March 16 annually, what does this day mean to you?

- If we recall the dynamics of those days, we will see that it is not just a simple day March 16. But it differs from other days since it is a special day with boundless dedication and understanding that we could only rely on ourselves. For some reasons, today there are issues that we do not properly focus on - in particular, but always, the Russian Empire has always attempted to subjugate everyone and everything under its influence not only 30 years ago, especially in the light of the fact that it (the Russian Federation) still perceives the post-Soviet Union area as one's sphere of influence. At that time, such an attitude was conspicuous towards the neighboring states, especially Georgia, which represented itself as a flagship of the post-Soviet states, which decided to declare independence.

We all know that the military operations that took place in Abkhazia were preceded by many days full of pain and tears - April 9, 1989, the conflict in Samachablo and many others... All this preceded the tragedy in Abkhazia. It was a tragedy, because for centuries, during the period of living in one state, it is difficult to remember such a manifestation of ruthlessness and controlled aggression towards each other.

During this period, the situation was very tense in the Region of Samegrelo and in the entire western Georgia. It was an attempt to disconnect and confront us to each other.

As referred to the military operations in Abkhazia, today no one remembers that this was preceded by the formation of the so-called Caucasus Confederation, which, if I am not mistaken, was led by Musa Shanibov. This confederation announced the city of Sukhumi as its capital with great fanfare and undertook the responsibility to include the armed forces of the so-called confederation under the command of Shamil Basaev.

Can you look at the dynamics? The forces that were opposing each other at that moment united and opposed us with a united front. Georgia did not have any resources at that time, it only had a fighting spirit and a desire to live in an independent and free state, there was no aggression.

Considering the fact that we were under the charm of “Hooray patriotism” to a certain extent, they beset us with various conflicts, the largest of which was the conflict in Abkhazia. We remember how the events were developing on the Georgian railway. The introduction of armed formations of another state on the territory of our country on a fictitious legal basis was another factor. In particular, the main pretext was to  declare Sukhumi as the capital of the Caucasus Confederation.

This shows the dynamics of Russia's policy to spread its influence on the territories of interest to it.

-After the fall of Gagra (October 1-6, 1992), Gumista operation was the first largest-scale, serious success for the Georgian Armed Forces. I would like to elicit your opinion amid the invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, how are events perceived that took place 30 years ago?

- Certainly, the process was directed by Russia, which turned into large-scale military operations. After the fall of Gagra-Gantiadi, it became clear that we were opposed by both regular military units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as North Caucasian mercenaries (Ingushians were maintaining a passive, friendly neutrality by then) and Cossack detachments. But what happened happened. This showed us that the hostilities could not have taken such a large-scale, destructive character and would have ended soon without the active intervention of the armed forces of the Russian Federation - two people living in a common homeland would have found a common language. Russia's plans did not necessarily include finding a common language. A premeditated process of mutual disconnection was being carried out, which resulted in the events of March 14-16, 1993.

It became widely known that the attack on Gumista and the storming of Sukhumi were planned in the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, whose high-ranking officials were in charge of the operation's leadership and material-technical provision, including aviation support.

It makes me smile when they talk about the advanced positions of the Georgian Armed Forces being bombed by Abkhazian military aviation. All the more, the surrounding areas of Gumista (in particular, Achadara) were bombed with powerful 500 kg bombs in the previous days, during which Georgian journalists were killed. Journalists were on the spot to stream the aerial bomb disposal operation. 11 people were killed in the explosion, including director Guliko Godoladze, cameraman Jumber Ezugbaya, journalists Giorgi Popiashvili and Sasha Karapetov.

After that, massive bombings of Sukhumi and its suburbs began on March 15, including, our military base. What followed was an assault to captivate Sokhumi. We cannot help from mentioning the heroism and dedication shown by the fighters of the 2nd and 6th tank battalions and the local brigade in the battles for the defense of Sukhumi. Our artillery was effective, which led to the turning of the combat initiative in our favor. Events developed dynamically, it was the manifestation of dedication and doomed courage, because we all realized that we could not rely on anyone except our comrades. All this clearly showed how many things a person defending the motherland fighting for freedom can do - how strong he is numerically and technically superior over his opponent.

After the battles were over, we handed over to the enemy the bodies of their dead comrades. Retribution for a dead opponent is unacceptable for a true fighter. Many opponents were captured, including fighters of the regular military units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, who were also released.

- You say that at that time of chaos, you tried to follow the internationally recognized laws of war? What we don't see in Ukraine today...

- No matter what we say, it is in our genes to appreciate our opponent. It's one thing when you destroy the enemy in battle, but to humiliate the defeated and the captivated, violate his/her dignity, goes beyond our customs blessed by the Lord.

Most importantly, the battles of March 15-16, 1993 showed that we can defend the homeland effectively. Despite the fact that for some various tactical or operational reasons, we did not launch a counterattack, the massive attack on Gumista was supported by the enemy's units in our back (Tkvarcheli and Ochamchire). As soon as the major attack on Sokhumi began, they were synchronously activated on the operational-tactical space. It is for this reason that our counterattack was not carried out, because we were threatened by the enemy's activation from the back.

-You probably remember what the situation was in Samegrelo then. Managed processes took place there too. Since a plenty of time is gone, all this allows us to analyze and understand many things.

- What would you say about the current situation in Georgia and Ukraine?

- There are many parallels between the past and present events. My generation does not need to be reminded that Russia is an aggressor and occupier. We were talking about it at an earlier time. I would also like to recall that Ukrainians fought alongside us at Gumista, including father and son, if I am not mistaken, surnamed Mazur. The son was killed in one of the battles, and then his father said an almost prophetic phrase: “Georgians, if we can't stop Russia together here (on Gumista), we will have to stop it on Riv. Dnieper”.

We have always had the feeling that Russia's impunity encourages its aggression. We see it and there is nothing new about it. There is only one moment - we do not oblige anyone, because we know that our main task is to protect the motherland.

We may have supported Ukraine a thousand times more in the struggle for freedom, but this does not give us the right to forget the interests of our country's self-defense and to play the role of upstart. It is strange and makes me smile when the representative of our youth talks to us on tv and informs us that he has already fought with Russia and inhaled tear gas twice on Rustaveli Avenue. Although what this young man is saying is far from reality, it is still welcome that he has a sense of fighting ability. Perhaps this feeling needs a little adjustment.

Every year we gather at the fallen heroes' memorial on March 16.  This day is hard for us, but at the same time, it reflects our hope and faith that our country will definitely be free and strong, and we will be together with Abkhazians and Ossetians in the future, children of a united, strong state.

What happened was a mistake, the mistake made by both our side and the side of our brothers - Abkhazians and Ossetians. Despite this difficulty and pain, we should look for the ways to reach each other. There are outlines drawn in this direction. God willing, I hope everything will be fine.

Ukraine will be free. The key thing is to approach this issue from the right angle