On October 10, the anonymous Facebook accounts “Natsi Khvitia” and “We are already in Europe,” along with several other accounts (1, 2, 3), shared a video featuring Mate Kirvalidze, a journalist from “Formula” TV station, in which he states: “Yes, I want war. A war for Georgia to return to Europe once and for all and to become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance. If you believe that this war does not concern you, you are greatly mistaken. If you think that someone else will fight for your children in this war, you are mistaken as well. If you disagree with me, turn the faucet on full blast while whispering in your kitchen so that the sound of the water could disrupt any listening devices. Of course, that is assuming there is water to turn on in the faucet by that time.”
In the video description, one of the accounts states: “We must fight for Europe and NATO.”
The video was also featured by the pro-Kremlin party “Alt Info – Conservative Movement” on their television channel. Party leaders discussed it during the show “Alt-Analytics” on October 10 (1, 2).
The quote from the “Formula” journalist is being disseminated without context and with manipulative descriptions. The content of the quote in a short clip from the circulated video, is ambiguous and can mislead the audience. In reality, Mate Kirvalidze’s quote regarding the “desire for war” is not connected to military actions against Georgia; rather, it pertains to social issues, justice, and the struggle against oligarchy.
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What does the story aired on “Formula” cover?
The video circulating on social media is a segment from the “Droeba” episode that aired on May 23, 2022. The title of journalist Mate Kirvalidze’s segment is “I Want War.” It addresses several issues and primarily takes the form of a monologue by the journalist. Mate Kirvalidze begins by discussing the West’s criticism of Georgia and the negative perceptions of democracy in the country as reflected in international reports. He also addresses the potential sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling party “Georgian Dream.” Kirvalidze critiques Ivanishvili’s political trajectory, stating that his anti-Western stance became evident at the onset of the war in Ukraine and was further highlighted by the decision to arrest Nika Gvaramia.

Towards the end of the segment, Mate Kirvalidze discusses the message from “Georgian Dream,” alleging that their opponents seek a war in Georgia and attempt to open a “second front” within the country. Such rhetoric became even more pronounced during the party’s pre-election campaign, with one of their primary election messages being the phrase “No to war! Choose peace!”
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In reality, Mate Kirvalidze does not express a desire for military action in Georgia
After watching the full episode and the segment circulated on social media, it becomes clear that the journalist is not advocating for military operations in Georgia or the initiation of war, nor is it connected to the so-called opening of a second front. Kirvalidze’s phrase “I want war” pertains to the social issues facing the country, including problems related to education, corruption, oligarchy, and poverty. It is important to note that the journalist begins the quote with a specific phrase: “[The government] frightens us with war, the exact war that no one wants.” However, this phrase did not appear in the video circulated on social media.
Mate Kirvalidze’s full quote (Timestamp: 11:30): “[The government] frightens us with war. The exact war that no one wants. With that war, indeed, which aims to eliminate oligarchic influence. Personally I want [it]. Yes, I want war. I want war with oligarchy, I want war with corruption, I want war with political justice, the politicized prosecutor’s office, the clan of judges. Yes, I want war. A war to finally eradicate hunger and unemployment in this country. I want a war against an education system where the priority is not education but illiteracy. […] Yes, I want war. A war for Georgia to return to Europe once and for all and to become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance.
The video is edited in such a way that the full quote of the journalist is not fully conveyed creating a disconnect in between. Kirvalidze continues the quote with the phrase: “If you believe that this war does not concern you, you are greatly mistaken…” In this context, the author does not refer to war in the literal sense; rather, he speaks about confronting the issues mentioned. In fact, Mate Kirvalidze states:
(Timestamp 12:30) “If you believe that this war is not your war, you are mistaken. Those who think that Gvaramia’s case is just an ordinary matter are also very wrong. As much as you may dislike Gvaramia, Saakashvili, the opposition, and differing opinions, you must understand that on May 16, with the ruling made by Judge Chkhikvadze on behalf of Georgia, essentially on your behalf, the oligarch took a significant step toward dictatorship. If you believe that this war does not concern you, you are greatly mistaken. If you think that someone else will fight for your children in this war, you are mistaken as well.”
Therefore, “Droeba” journalist Mate Kirvalidze’s story contains no call for war, nor does it discuss the initiation of war in Georgia or express any desire for conflict. In the phrase “I want war,” Kirvalidze does not refer to military actions. He repeatedly clarifies that he is calling for a confrontation with unresolved social and justice issues, not an actual war. Additionally, “I Want War” is Kirvalidze’s response to the message from “Georgian Dream,” which alleges that their opponents want war in Georgia.
During the pre-election period, an active discrediting campaign targets both opposition politicians and journalists from independent media. Several journalists critical of the government have become subjects of manipulated visual materials circulating on social networks. In recent months, “Myth Detector” has uncovered several instances where journalists’ quotes were disseminated out of context, in a manipulative and incomplete manner. The goal of spreading these materials is to depict journalists as enemies of the country and peace.
About the source:
“Natsii Khvitia” is an anonymous Facebook account that frequently disseminates false or manipulative posts about government opponents. The information disseminated by this account has been previously fact-checked by “Myth Detector.”
The “We are already in Europe” account is also anonymous and is known for sharing posts that support the “Alt-Info” party while discrediting the opposition. The video manipulation disseminated by this account, which also claimed that opposition politicians desired war, was previously flagged by “Myth Detector” on Facebook.
Facebook user Nodo Demurishvili has previously disseminated false information, which was fact-checked by “Myth Detector.”
Levan Tavdishvili consistently publishes anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian posts, as well as conspiracy theories.
The account “Gia Vashakidze” has spread misleading information multiple times, which has been researched by “Myth Detector” in the past.
The account “Sidonia Bela Bell” is a supporter of the pro-Kremlin party “Alt Info – Conservative Movement.” The account spreads false information through multiple Facebook profiles (1, 2) and frequently publishes posts containing anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian false content.
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