Eurasia Press & News
On occasion of the 3rd anniversary of recognition of its independence by Russia, South Ossetia has closed the border with Georgia to avoid any escalation of the situation, Georgian media reported.
On August 23, Russian Foreign Ministry said that Georgia “is plotting a provocative act” at the border with Ossetia. Official Tbilisi refuted the information.
During the night of August 7 to 8, 2008, Georgia launched a large-scale military attack against South Ossetia, in an attempt to reconquer the territory. The following day Russia reacted by deploying combat troops in South Ossetia and launching bombing raids deep into Georgia. Russian and Ossetian soldiers clashed with Georgian soldiers in the four-day Battle of Tskhinvali, the main battle of the war. On August 9, Russian naval forces blockaded a part of the Georgian coast and landed marines on the Abkhaz coast. Russian and Abkhaz forces opened a second front by attacking the Kodori Gorge, held by Georgia and entered western parts of Georgia’s interior. After five days of heavy fighting, the Georgian forces were routed, enabling the Russians to enter uncontested Georgia and occupy the cities of Poti, Gori, Senaki, and Zugdidi.
