EurasianStudies_0110..

January-March 2010 JOURNAL OF EURASIAN STUDIES Volume II., Issue 1.
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The April 2008 Bucharest NATO summit, in which the membership of NATO by Ukraine and Georgia
were debated, can be considered another friction point between Georgia and Russia. The post-Soviet
countries such as Ukraine, Georgia and Azerbaijan have shown interests to leave the Russian orbit and
to integrate with the West. Georgia’s relationship with Turkey (another rival of Russia), the recent
inauguration of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars rail road (called iron silk road, connecting Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Turkey) and especially Saakashvili’s attempts to picture Russia as the main villain of peace in the
Trans-Caucasus to the much chagrin of the Russian leadership might have further contributed in
complicating the crisis.
The recent flare up started on 7 August 2008, the day the 32 nd Olympics celebrations in Beijing started.
The Georgian leadership might have calculated the absence of Putin in Moscow (as he was away in
Beijing representing Russia) as a right moment to attack South Ossetia to bring the break away region
under total control. The attack of 7,500 Georgian troops backed by upgraded Soviet-era T-72 tanks and
Su-25 attack planes led to capture of most of Tskhinvali on 8 th itself despite stiff opposition from the de
facto ruler Eduard Kokoity. The 2,500 Ossetian fighters and 600 Russian peacekeepers were unable to
confront the Georgian forces. The Georgian attack reportedly claimed lives of 1500 civilians and 15
Russian peacekeepers. According to a report, Russia lost 70 servicemen in combat, while another 171
were wounded, including the commander of the Russian 58 th Army, which took a major part in the
counter strike. The Russian forces along with long-range Tu-22 and Sukhoi fighter planes forced the
Georgian units into full retreat by bombing military facilities across Georgia to disrupt supplies and
reinforcements.
The war led to mass displacement of people across border to North Ossetia. Reportedly, 30,000 people
from South Ossetia crossed over to North Ossetia for safety and shelter. Russia counter attacked the
Georgian forces on 8 th , with heavy mortars and shelling, leading to the defeat of Georgian forces. Russian
attack had its casualties especially in Kodori Valley, killing almost a dozen people. The more appalling
was the media war that followed. Georgia openly castigated Russia for initiating the attack and
interfering in its internal affairs, while Russia openly criticised Georgia for fomenting the recent crisis
and for causing the refugee situation in North Ossetia. Georgia declared ceasefire on 9 th , while Russia
continued its onslaught, and another breakaway republic, Abkhazia threatened to attack Georgia.
According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the number of people displaced by the
week-long conflict has risen to 115,000 including some 68,000 displaced in Georgia proper (mostly in
Gori town) and 15,000 who have fled south into Georgia from South Ossetia.
The international response to the crisis was highly polarised as polarised the relations between
Georgia and Russia. The US led NATO and many members of EU particularly the UK called for
withdrawal of Russian forces and immediate ceasefire. The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
called on Russia to withdraw its combat troops and cease attacks on Georgia by aircraft and missiles,
respect Georgia’s territorial integrity, and withdraw its ground combat forces from Georgian soil.
Countries like Germany and France adopted a cautious approach in criticising either Russia or Georgia.
China remained silent without making any policy statement on the crisis. French President, Nicholas
Sarkozy, the incumbent Chairman of the EU, made a personal attempt by visiting Moscow to persuade
Russia to stop the attack. On 13 th August, Moscow finally agreed to ceasefire and declared end of its
military activities in South Ossetia. However, its recognition of South Ossetia and Ossetia on 26 August
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