Guide Note

A crisis between Russia and the Republic of Georgia escalated in April and May of 2008 over the breakaway region of Abkhazia. Secessionists in Abkhazia fought a war against Georgia in 1993 in which, with Russian backing, they were able to drive out Georgian troops.

Fast Facts

1. Russia sending more peacekeeping troops to Abkhazia
2. Russia patrols region as part of 1994 ceasefire accord
3. Georgia pro-Western, hopes to join NATO
4. Abkhazia once a coast of the Soviet Union
5. Located on east coast of the Black Sea

In the 5 years leading up to the current crisis, Vladimir Putin has strengthened economic ties and provided consular support to the region. Russia has also handed out Russian passports and voting rights to people in Abkhazia.

All these moves undermine Georgian sovereignty in the region. Georgia claims that Russia is either endorsing the separatist republic's claim to independence or creating a de facto annexation of the region, probably the latter.

On April 30, Georgia accused Russia of shooting down a Georgian drone aircraft, adding to the tension. The Georgian government supplied video evidence that a Russian MiG 29 shot it down. Russia said a NATO plane was responsible.

On May 2, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili accused Russian leader Vladimir Putin of sending additional troops to Abkhazia to "punish the West" (Georgia has close ties to the US).

Russia also accused Georgia of increasing troop numbers on the border. Georgia denies this and claims Russia's actions are a provocation.

On May 12, 2008, Georgia-Russia relations remained under strain after the Russian Defense Ministry said it could increase further its peacekeeping forces in Abkhazia.

On May 26, 2008, a United Nations report confirmed that a Russian plane had shot down the Georgian drone.

In August 2008, Russian troops moved on another border with Georgia in the province of South Ossetia. Georgian officials have requested that Abkhazia refrain from getting involved in the conflict.

NATO is said to be alarmed by the escalating tensions between Georgia and its former ruler, and has urged both sides to resolve the conflict without resorting to violence.

1. ""They [Russia] clearly have said, and this was reiterated by President Putin to me, that this is a response to the Kosovo precedent, this is a response to Western neglect of Russian positions and ... the perceived threat of Nato enlargement in this region."— Mikhail Saakashvili, president of Georgia
2. "The United States is absolutely committed to the territorial integrity of Georgia...we are very concerned at the steps that have been taken and we have made our views known to the Russian Government."— Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State