Georgian Killed Helping Ukrainian Forces Battle Separatists

TBILISI -- Another Georgian citizen fighting along Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed separatists has been killed in eastern Ukraine.

Georgian Defense Minister Mindia Janelidze said on April 20 that the government in Tbilisi will pay all expenses for returning the body of Giorgi Janelidze from Ukraine to Georgia and for his funeral.

Giorgi Janelidze, who is no relation to the defense minister, died on April 18 during mine clearance work near the coastal town Shyrokyne.

He is the third Georgian citizen killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian government forces against pro-Russian separatists.

One Georgian national was killed while fighting on the side of the separatists since April 2014.

More than 60 Georgians, mostly former military officers, are estimated to be fighting on the side of different pro-government groups in Ukraine.

About a dozen Georgian citizens reportedly are fighting on the side of the separatists.