Russia Invades Georgia

- August 8, 2008: 150 Russian tanks and other vehicles rolled into South Ossetia
- Tanks are to back up separatists under attack from Georgian forces
- August 9, 2008 Georgian labeled conflict as a "state of war"
- Cease-fire agreement was signed on August 12, 2008
- Russian claimed to have withdrawn its troops on August 22, 2008

In August of 2008, tensions between Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists escalated. On August 8th, Georgian troops invaded the South Ossetian capital. Russia sent troops and tanks into South Ossetia to defend the separatists. On August 9, 2008, the Georgian parliament announced that the country was in a "state of war" with Russia. On August 12, 2008, Russia and Georgia signed a cease-fire agreement. On August 22, 2008, Russia claimed it had withdrawn its troops from Georgian territory, except for troops that would stay in "security zones" of Georgia. United States, France and Britain said the withdrawal was not complete.News 8: Russian Military Pulls Out Of Key Georgian Areas (August 22, 2008)
Recent Background
1. April 2008: NATO say Georgia can join the NATO alliance in the future
2. 2008: NATO acknowledged Kosovo's independence
3. This strengthened South Ossetians and Abkhazians claims that they too could gain independence
4. Russia claimed they have to be involved as their citizens in breakaway regions are Russian citizens
Civil War and Independence Declaration
1. 1991-2: South Ossetia region fight civil war against Georgia
2. Claimed independence from Georgia
3. No countries acknowledge the breakaway region
4. Russia supports the separatists
5. Georgia rejects independence movement sends troops to the region
6. Russian peace keepers intervened
7. 1992: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) began monitoring the peacekeeping mission
What Do South Ossetians Want?
1. Independence from Georgia
2. Unite with ethnic kin in the North Ossetia
3. Ossetians descended from Alan tribe
The Ossetians
1. Orthodox Christians
2. Have their own language
3. Inhabit North Ossetia (part of Russian Federation) and South Ossetia (part of Georgia)