SUKHUMI. Aug 14 (Interfax) - Abkhazians should be united in defending the independence of the breakaway republic, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh said.

"Georgia hatches the most aggressive plans against Abkhazia, and Abkhazians must oppose this with unity and a resolute striving toward independence and freedom," Bagapsh said at a rally dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the beginning of the Georgian-Abkhaz war on Tuesday.

"Regardless of statements by politicians in Tbilisi and outside Russia, Abkhazia has only one friend - Russia, which supported Abkhazians in their darkest hour and will continue to do so," the Abkhaz president said.

"Today, every family in the republic mourns for those killed in the fighting, for fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and children," Bagapsh said.

Bagapsh said he was touched by the Way of Memory to Freedom and Independence youth action on Monday. "This makes me certain that the future of Abkhazia is in secure hands," he said.

The Georgian-Abkhaz war lasted for 413 days and ended on September 30, 1993. Over 12,000 people took part in fighting on the Abkhaz side. According to Abkhaz official information, over 2,700 people died and over 5,000 wounded during the war.