What happened between Georgia and Russia in August 2008?
The five-day war, its outcome and assessments.
Short answer
From 7 to 12 August 2008 Georgia and Russia fought a war, often called the five-day war, which began around South Ossetia, known in Georgia as the Tskhinvali region. Fighting stopped under a ceasefire agreement brokered by the French president. On 26 August Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Georgia cut diplomatic relations with Russia.
Why
- The parties' accounts of how the war started and unfolded differ.
- An independent international fact-finding mission commissioned by the EU described violations by all parties in its 2009 report.
- Most UN member states still regard Abkhazia and South Ossetia as part of Georgia.
Details
Since the war, Georgian law treats Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region as occupied territories, and entering them from Russia is prohibited. Diplomatic relations have not been restored, and Switzerland represents each side's interests.
People also ask
- What happened in Georgia in 2008?
Sources
- Law of Georgia on Occupied TerritoriesChecked at:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of GeorgiaChecked at:
This answer describes events and the parties' positions and makes no political assessment.
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