Breaking out of Armenian–Azerbaijani War in 1918-1920 put the small Udi community in significant danger. Many Udi men were lost in the conflict that took place during this period, since Udis were often mistaken for Armenians. Among the victims of the conflict and persecution was Zinobi Silikashvili's uncle and local cleric, Nikolai Silikov. Due to these circumstances, Silikashvili, who had returned to his native land, decided to relocate his relatives first, and at the insistence of the locals, to relocate a significant part of the Vartashen Udis to Georgia. Once passed to Georgia, the community founded the modern village of Zinobiani in 1922. By 1923, Udis had named the village Zinobiani after their leader, Zinobi. Under Silikashvili's leadership and assistance, several factories, a Red Cross medical center, a school, a post office, a cooperative and others were gradually opened in the village of Zinobiani. Also, a bath was arranged on the sulfur waters near the village.