Russia's war in Georgia in 2008
First-hand accounts of Russia's battle with another former Soviet republic in 2008.
Witness History · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
In August 2008, Russia went to war with another former Soviet republic, Georgia. The conflict began after Georgia attempted to recapture the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which had fought a separatist war with Tbilisi during the 1990s. As fighting escalated, Russia sent in troops - seizing control of South Ossetia and also of Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia. The five-day war ended in humiliation for Georgia - several towns, a Black Sea port and military airfields were bombed by the Russian air force. Several hundred people were killed and thousands of ethnic Georgians displaced. Nick Holland reports.
PHOTO: Russian troops on their way to South Ossetia in 2008 (Getty Images)