THE ARMED CONFLICT IN SOUTH OSSETIA 2008 Prepared

THE ARMED CONFLICT IN SOUTH OSSETIA (2008) Prepared Razvalova Nadezda

Armed conflict that took place in August 2008 between Georgia on the one hand, and South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Russia on the other.

Map of the territories

On the night of 7 to 8 August 2008, Georgian troops launched a massive artillery bombardment of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinval and surrounding areas. A few hours later followed by the Georgian assault on the city of armored vehicles and infantry.

The official reason for the attack on Tskhinvali, according to the Georgian side had violated the ceasefire by the South Ossetia, which, in turn, argues that first opened fire Georgia

The situation in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict start to increase dramatically in late July - early August. Active hostilities began on the night of August 8, when Georgia was heavy shelling the South Ossetian capital, then attempted to capture.

Georgian tanks

High 8 August, Russian President announced the start of the operation to enforce peace in the conflict zone. In the region were introduced significant Russian forces.

For several days, Russian troops, together with the South Ossetian militias drove Georgian troops from South Ossetia, temporarily occupying a number of conflict zones adjacent to areas of Georgia.

Injured Ossetians

Fighting continued until 12 August. From 14 to 16 August, the presidents of Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Georgia and Russia signed a peace plan for the conflict. Five-Day War had significant geopolitical, economic and other consequences. Since August 26, Russia officially recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states. September 2 Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia. Slowed down the process of Georgia's accession to NATO.

Military losses and civilian casualties

South Ossetia By the evening of August 8 appeared preliminary data on victims: as stated in an interview with the president of the unrecognized republic, Eduard Kokoity, the victims of Georgian attack on South Ossetia were more than 1, 400 people. August 11, Foreign Ministry spokesman Boris Malakhov said that in the area of conflict has killed an estimated 1, 600 civilians.

Russia According to the Deputy Chief of Staff A. A. Nogovitsyna, Russian military losses totaled 74 people dead, 19 missing, 171 – wounded.

Georgia August 13, after the end of hostilities, Georgian Health Minister Sandro Kvitashvili reported that during the conflict killed 175 citizens.