[ochekurishvili]

And Russian reaction was correct right? Ignore boundaries of sovereign state (Georgia), annex its' territories outside of conflict zone (Gori, Georgia) and all in order to "defend their friends".

Are you aware that Russia perfectly timed it's Kavkaz 2008 military training near the border of Georgian Region of South Osetia? Just several days earlier before conflict heated up.

And what Russia does when conflict begins? Forwards it's Kavkaz 2008 troops towards Georgia as soon as conflict begins. What a coincidence...

BTW, name South Ossetia was created (yes created) by USSR which aimed to take control over Caucasus, and Georgia was kind of too unified by that time, that was against Russian plans.

[mlvljr]

No Gori annexion happened, actually -- Russian military entered the city, then, after the conflict was over, left.

The readiness to respond was quite amazing though, yes -- but it was Georgian army who started the storm of Tshinval, not expecting the Russian one to appear any soon through a mountain tunnel (or appear at all, actually).

There have been trainings just before that, that's correct; and there have been provocations from both sides of the conflict (Ossetian and Georgian).

[ochekurishvili]

Yes, I used a wrong term. Sorry. Anyway there was no need to spread conflict in the whole country.

But still, there was an annexation too, Russia took this part of the Georgian controlled lands: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhalgori_Municipality

[mlvljr]

From the link it follows, that it was Ossetia (now recognized as an independent state by Russia) taking control over the (small) territory, not Russia annexing it (although Russian peacekeepers may be around, actually).

Speaking of the conflict scale, it still looks quite lucky that this all ended soon -- with Georgian army leaving heavy armour all along the road to the capital, and panic starting there.

[ochekurishvili]

Who are we lying to? :) It's Russia acting by the hands of Ossetian and other north Caucasian separatists.

Georgian and Ossetians (and many other nations too) have been living in peace for centuries before Russian rule. Russia is the only one to blame in provocating every single conflict in Caucasus (except several minor issues).

Agree, Georgia can't be proud of acting organized later, but that's not the point here.

[mlvljr]

>> Who are we lying to? :) It's Russia acting by the hands of Ossetian and other north Caucasian separatists.

Indeed, who are we lying to, my Georgian friend?* ;)

* - esp. with claims as broad as: >> Russia is the only one to blame in provocating every single conflict in Caucasus (except several minor issues).

[powertower]

If I recall the events correctly, the majority of the civilians that were in the conflict zones ran-to the Russian side - instead of the other way around.

That should tell you who the transgressors were that were attacking those same civilians.

Again, if I recall correctly, a good number of those civilians in the "conflict zones" had dual citizenship or at least a Russian passport.

So when Georgia started shelling them, Russia responded.

[ochekurishvili]

Not correct.

Russia has been deploying Russian passports in the conflict zone for two decades, by force... So the reason "defend our citizens, friends" was a "Putin-made". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/265...

Many Ossetians headed south to the Georgian side as conflict began, before Russian troops took Tskinvali. Many of them now live in a refugee camps near Gori. http://www.demotix.com/news/77308/refugee-camp-gori-georgia#...

And there have been an ethnic cleansing of Georgians after Russian troops arrived: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_cleansing_of_Georgians_...

[powertower]

You first statement is not supported by the article. It only states that after the Russian military came in they started issuing passports for identification purposes.

The other points can also be challenged considering there are always going to be some numbers in the population that that are pro-Russian and some that are anti-Russian in that region. And there will be further conflict with the anti side.

[ochekurishvili]

The very first Google search result on Russian passports in the province of South Ossetia: http://www.loc.gov/law/help/russian-georgia-war.php

We can argue on details endlessly and it's against my intention. The case is complicated indeed.

To keep it simple: Russia has been "operating" in this region for a long time and it's intention has always been to control Caucasus. It still continues such politics.

[Elhana]

Suppose one day you notice your neighbor beating a crap out of his kids with a baseball bat, should you ignore boundaries of his property (house) and stop him in order to defend his kids? Although it becomes common this days people would just pull out their phones and start shooting a video for youtube instead.. maybe you are one of those.

[ochekurishvili]

Your argument is pointless since there was no such thing as "beating neighbors" by Georgian side.

The only one who was "bearing" the nerves was Russia and here's why: They were bombing Georgian controlled side by the hands of Ossetian separatists for a long, as soon as Georgia decided to end it and react correctly (by correctly I mean taking control over South Osetia, which in fact is withing the borders of Georgia) and that's were Russia decided to defend its "friends". Read my comments above on Russian passports.

[adobriyan]

> And Russian reaction was correct right?

So, it's Russia bringing itself to war only to screw up media coverage of China olympics.

Nice conspiracy theory...

[ochekurishvili]

No, Putin was like Michael Corleone on Olympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CDlBLvc3YE

[saraid216]

Sure, but you have to remember this is HN. Conspiracy theories are always correct.

[antocv]

By your username, are you a Georgian?

Georgia fucked up, serves them right to get their ass handed to them by the Russians. Should be happy and thankful Tbilsi didnt get the same treatment like georgians gave to South Ossetian capital. Anyway what kind of country does that - start shelling to rubles some city it claims is within its own territory?

[ochekurishvili]

If I shoot stones at your house and broke your windows every night, would you finally run after me to fight?

Yes, Georgian. And as I guess you are Russian.

I have nothing against Russian people, actually our nations had a deep relationships for centuries, But I'm really pity for you... Putin makes you to live in dictatorship, withing unfairness, Vors and I can imagine how much that sucks in 2014.

To help you have a better understanding of the conflict let me invite you in Georgia, you'll be my guest. I'll guide you through the places where all happened (OFC Georgian controlled ones) and show you facts of Russias' wrong reaction. I'm inviting you, seriously, no joking :) Let me know if you're interested.

[antocv]

Dude Im not Russian.

But thanks for the invitation, is it still valid? I pretend be good Russian bring vodka and cookies. Then I can show you around my home area, Croatia.