The Battle of Tskhinvali, which unfolded in the early hours on August 8th, 2008, was a pivotal and highly volatile episode in the longstanding conflict between Georgia and Russia. The conflict erupted when Georgian forces launched an assault on the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali, aiming to regain control over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which had declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s.
Russia swiftly responded by sending its military forces into South Ossetia, ultimately leading to a five-day war. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, particularly in Tskhinvali and the surrounding areas. Within South Ossetia, Georgia still had control over multiple regions, including Artsevi and most of eastern South Ossetia.
