Battle of Gumista

The Battle of Gumista was a battle between Georgian armed forces and Abkhaz separatists. It was the bloodiest clash of the Abkhaz–Georgian conflict and the War in Abkhazia. It was held on March 15–16, 1993 along 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) of the banks of the Gumista River.

Battle of Gumista
Part of War in Abkhazia (1992–1993)
Date 16 March 1993 Location Gumista River, Georgia Result Georgian victory Abkhaz separatists retreated
Belligerents
Abkhazia Abkhazian Armed Forces Bagramyan Battalion Confederation of Mountain Peoples of the Caucasus Supported by: Russia	Georgia 23rd Brigade
Commanders and leaders
Vladimir Arshba Sergei Dbar Sultan Sosnaliyev Shamil Basayev Gena Kardanov †	Tengiz Kitovani Giorgi Karkarashvili Geno Adamia
Strength
8,000 men 40 units of armored vehicles Russian aviation	2,500 men 20 units of armored vehicles
Casualties and losses
1,000+ killed 2,000 wounded	300 killed 400 wounded

Background

In early 1993, Abkhazian separatists controlled half of the autonomous republic of Abkhazia and, after strengthened their positions after opening the border with Russia, the separatists shifted their focus to capturing Sukhumi. To organize themselves, they established a Ministry of Defense on 10 October 1992. Mercenaries, including the Bagramyan Battalion, a terrorist unit composed predominantly of ethnic Armenian, joined the Abkhazian Armed Forces.Tan, Andrew (2006). Politics of Terrorism A Survey (1st ed.). Routledge. The Abkhazians secured a significant ammunition supply and manpower from various regions, including receiving help from the Middle East. Together with Caucasian separatists and Russian military units, they prepared for a major assault on Sukhumi.

Battle

On March 16, 1993, the Russian Air Force attacked Georgian battalions along the Gumista River at 3:00 a.m. They dropped bombs as part of a separatist plan aimed at causing casualties and panic. Abkhazian infantry units launched an attack at 5:00 a.m. Russian planes illuminated the area, and a massive eight-kilometer attack began. The Georgian 23rd brigade defended various positions.

The main focus was near the railway station and Atchadara, where intense hand-to-hand combat took place. Despite initial success, the Abkhazian assault eventually failed, and they retreated around 15:00, leaving Gumista free from Abkhazian forces.

The Abkhazians suffered many casualties, leading to panic among their ranks. However, the Georgian side did not counterattack, and this victory remained just one episode in the war.

Sources on internet

• "How Sukhumi fell". 2006 public channel documentary, author Mikheil Basiladze. Director: Levan Akhobadze.
• The documentary film "The Last Day of Sokhumi" shot by Rustavi 2 in 2013. Author: Toma Chagelishvili.
• Rustavi 2's 2015 documentary film "Abkhaz Walk" by Toma Chagelishvili.