18 years ago in 1993 on March 15 at 03:00 in Gumista fire line, Georgian battalion was fired by Russian aviation and artillery. At the Sokhumi fierce battles were. After the fail of town Gagra this was a most large scale operation which was planned by Russian Army. After the aviation and artillery attack Abkhazian army started attack at the dawn at 05:00. All available forces were exploited by Abkhazians in this battle. Except of Abkhazians in this battle Northern Caucasian battalions were taking part as well Russian Defense Ministry battalions. Namely in 1993 in March to the Georgian Russian conflict against Georgia the Armenia battalion "Bagramian battalion" staffed with the local Armenians joined the battle. The front line was 8 km long. This line was attacked at the whole against Georgians.

The main fight was at the railway station and Achandara. In case if Abkhazians would take bridges they will use armored vehicles as well. Especially hard situation was at the Railway Bridge and Achandara. At 07:00 the front line was breached and Abkhazian army entered Sokhumi. The battalions dislocated in Gumista were under the danger of encirclement. Nevertheless the breach of frontline was restrained very soon and the Abkhazian army which surged Sokhumi was encircled by Georgian reserve army. The Abkhazian army was totally defeated.

On March 16 the special role has Artillery. The attacking echelon of secessionists pushing forward from behind was fired by Georgian artillery. Abkhazians suffered a considerable loss. It was clear that Abkhazian storm was not successful. At 15:00 approximately, Abkhazians started to draw back. At the end of the day Gumista was totally cleared out from Abkhazians.


Abkhazian side has a 1000 died soldiers this time. They were in panic for such considerable loss. Nevertheless the Georgian side did not attacked enemy. The Army was waiting for the counter-attack in vain. This was a reason why the 15-16 March was the only successful day in the Georgian-Russian war in Abkhazia and it did not make a considerable affect to the result of the conflict.

During the defense of Sokhumi the Georgian Army was completed by local population, this time 137 Georgian soldiers died and more than 350 injured. The military experts say at that battle Georgia could make a decisive attack and occupy a considerable territory, but the Georgian side did not do this.

This battle on March 15 was a considerable victory of Georgian army. This was the only success at total war. To be noted, this date is marked by secessionists as well they are commemorating its died militants at the memorial.