The war in Ukraine makes a strong impression on the residents of Khurvaleti in Georgia, writes Reuters.
It evokes bad memories of Russian attacks, and a life of eternal uncertainty.
Many of the residents here come from South Ossetia, which most states consider part of Georgia, but which the Russians now control.
“Creep Invasion”
TV 2 has previously told about the “creep invasion” that is happening here. Piece by piece of land is occupied by the Russians, and the residents risk suddenly having the new border running right through their garden.
– I know what it’s like to hide in the basement while the village is being bombed. I know the cruel fear of war, says Mari Otinashvili (27) to Reuters.
She fled when her home town of Achabeti was attacked by Russians in 2008. She was then 13 years old. Her village was laid in ruins.
– We don’t know what will happen. Russia can invade. There could be war. We must be prepared, she says.
Mari Otinashvili (27) now runs a grocery store in Khurlaveti, Georgia Photo: Daro Sulakauri
Otinashvili says it is very stressful to live like that. A few months ago, the Russians moved the border literally overnight.
– I was so scared. I cried all night, she says.
The sisters Gelashvili (12) and Tamar Mazmashvili (10) don’t remember much about their escape in 2008, but they are convinced that they will return home to Argvisi in South Ossetia if given the opportunity.
– Our house was destroyed, I have only seen pictures of the place taken from a plane. Russians live there now, says Gelashvili.
Recognized independence
Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and established its garrisons there. Approximately according to the same template they started the occupation of regions of Ukraine.
In recent years, Russian forces have controlled the borders and they support the separatists who want an independent South Ossetia. Thick rolls of barbed wire have been stretched along the administrative border.
TV 2 visited the region earlier this autumn and saw how the barbed wire fence goes through gardens and separates families.
SEPARATE: 14 years ago, Valia Vanishvili (88) lived on Georgian soil. Now she is a very reluctant resident of the Russian-occupied area. Photo: Sorosh Sadat / TV 2
Valia Vanishvilli has had to meet her own children, grandchildren and friends over a barbed wire fence since 2009.
– I am alone. My husband is dead. And the Russians walk around here, she told TV 2.
Some of the residents here do not even dare to use parts of their garden, because they are afraid of moving into occupied territory. Then they risk being arrested, or in the worst case, shot.
Otinashvili lives in a settlement created for many evacuated families. They fear that Russia will try to take even more territory or formally take the plunge and annex South Ossetia, as it did with Crimea in 2014.
Live with fear
A few days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian soldiers in South Ossetia began putting up prohibition signs at the border. It looks more and more like an international border crossing – but it doesn’t say which country the border runs between.
PROHIBITED: There are signs that give the impression that this is an internationally recognized border. It is not. Photo: Sorosh Sadat / TV 2
They also set up a searchlight towards their settlement.
Otinashvili says that she was so scared that she was shaking.
In 2017, an agreement was reached that incorporated the military separatists in South Ossetia under Russian command. There are also Russian soldiers here.
There are many stories of illegal imprisonment, kidnapping and torture of people accused of crossing the border illegally.
RESISTANCE: David Katsarava criticizes the EU and the Georgian authorities for not fighting back against the Russian creeping invasion. Photo: Daro Sulakauri
Activist David Katsarava is part of a group that patrols the administrative border. He criticizes both the EU and the Georgian authorities for not doing enough to fight the Russians’ abuses.
He helps farmers put GPS trackers on them so they can prove they haven’t crossed the border while herding livestock.
He believes his home country Georgia has lost track of how much land the Russians have occupied.
SHEPHERD: Jumber Psitidze (64) wears an “SOS watch” a GPS that can prove their location in case they come into conflict with border guards. Photo: Daro Sulakauri
– The crypooccupation does not stop. It can only be stopped if you fight against it, he says.
Neither Georgian nor Russian have wished to comment to Reuters in connection with the case. Nor have they had representatives from the separatists in South Ossetia speak.
The UN estimates that 288,000 Georgians are internally displaced from South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia.
Like Ukraine, Georgia is a former Soviet state with a border with Russia and the Black Sea.
