Russian Invasion of Georgia

August, 2008
Basic Facts & Figures
Source: Press-releases, statements and facts released by the
Government of Georgia
2 0 0 8
CONTENTS
Timeline of Russian Aggression in Georgia .................................... 3
Chronology of Russian Air Bombings of Georgia ........................... 9
Landmines, Use of Explosives and Cluster Bombs ...................... 12
Occupation of Georgian Towns and Villages ................................ 12
Civilian, Military and Journalist Casualty Figures ......................... 14
Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in South Ossetia and Abkhazia... 15
Internally Displaced Persons ......................................................... 16
Illegal Russian Checkpoints ........................................................... 17
Environmental Destruction ............................................................ 20
Visits of High-Ranking Foreign Officials to Georgia .................... 20
Agreements .................................................................................... 21
3
Timeline of Russian Aggression in Georgia
Beginning in 2004, the Georgian Government has repeatedly pro-
posed to launch a genuine peace process for South Ossetia and Abk-
hazia. The Russian Federation and separatist leaders have rejected
Georgias peace initiatives each and every time they have been pro-
posed.
Since 2005, Russian military and civilian officials seconded from
Moscow have been effectively governing South Ossetia.
In spring 2006, Russian forces illegally build of a forward military
base in the strategically located town of Java (north of Tskhinvali).
In March, 2008, the Russian Federation unilaterally and illegally
withdrew from the CIS economic and arms embargo imposed in
1994 on the secessionist region of Abkhazia, Georgia.
On April 16, Moscow sharply escalated tensions by decreeing the
establishment of legal links between Russia and the Georgian re-
gions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
On April 20, a Russian fighter jet downed an unarmed Georgian
drone over Georgian airspace (near Ganmukhuri), an act of aggres-
sion confirmed by formal UNOMIG and OSCE investigative re-
ports.
In the following weeks (May/June), Russia continued to unilater-
ally increase its troop strength in Abkhazia, without fulfilling its
legal obligation to seek the consent of Georgia.
On May 26, Russia sent more than 400 hundred of Ministry of
Defense railroad troops into Abkhazia to reinforce the rail infra-
structure needed for military action.
4
On July 3, South Ossetian separatists attempted to assassinate Dimitry
Sanakoyev, the Head of the Temporary Administration of South Ossetia.
On July 9, Four Russian military aircraft violated Georgian airspace
on the eve of US Secretary of State Rices visit to Georgia. Although
Russia has been continually violating Georgian airspace, this was the
first time Moscow acknowledged it had done so deliberately.
On July 15-August 2, Russia launched large-scale military exer-
cises named Caucasus 2008 in the immediate vicinity of Geor-
gias northern border. Russian troops participating in the exercise
did not re-deploy from the region when the exercises finished.
On 28 July, Separatist units opened fire at joint peacekeeping forces
and an OSCE observer group moving in the conflict zone.
On July 29, For the first time since last major hostilities, separatist
paramilitary forces began intensively shelling ethnically mixed vil-
lages under Georgian control.
On August 1, A pickup truck carrying six police officers of the MIA
of Georgia was hit by two remote-control explosive devices on the
Eredvi-Kheiti bypass road. Five policemen were severely wounded.
On August 2, Six civilians and one police officer were injured
after the separatists shelled villages under Georgian control in the
conflict zone overnight. Georgian law enforcers initially shot back
in self-defense, but were soon ordered to cease fire in order not to
escalate the situation.
On August 3-4, The separatists announced the evacuation of ci-
vilian population from Tskhinvali and from the separatist controlled
villages of the region, while Russian media outlets started a mas-
sive propaganda campaign against Georgia, advocating for volun-
teers and paramilitaries to support South Ossetian separatists.
5
On August 5, tanks and military trucks with armed soldiers were
reported moving towards the Georgian controlled village of Avnevi.
According to telephone calls intercepted by Georgian intelligence,
separatist internal affairs minister Mikhail Mindzaev ordered a mas-
sive attack on and the elimination of another Georgian village Dvani.
On August 6, Approximately 150 volunteers from the North Cau-
casus arrived in Tskhinvali as reported by local television and joined
the separatist units. In the late afternoon at approximately 16:00,
separatists opened mortar fire from the villages of Pranevi, Ubiati,
and Khetagurovo at ethnically mixed and Georgian-controlled vil-
lages of Eredvi, Prisi, Avnevi, Dvani, and Nuli. Khetagurovo was
the main artillery base of the separatists. This attack continued
until approximately 19:00. A lull was observed for one hour, with
attacks resuming at 20:00 and lasting until late into the night. Geor-
gian government forces fired back in order to defend their posi-
tions and the civilian population. As a result of intensive cross-fire
during the night, two servicemen of the Georgian battalion of the
Joint Peacekeeping Forces were injured. The separatist regime
also claimed several persons injured on their side.
On August 7, Early in the morning approximately 150 armored
vehicles and military trucks of the Russian regular army streamed
into the Roki Tunnel and headed towards Tskhinvali (this is con-
firmed by two mobile telephone conversations intercepted by Geor-
gian intelligence). Earlier at approximately 00:15, separatists be-
gan attacking the villages of Eredvi, Prisi, and Vanati, with artillery,
including mortars and grenade launchers. Simultaneously, the sep-
aratists attack the Sarabuki Heights, where Georgian peacekeep-
ers were stationed. Three Georgian peacekeepers were wounded
during the attack. The fighting in this area continued until approxi-
mately 10:00. In a morning interview with Russian TV and news
agencies, South Ossetian separatist leader Eduard Kokoity declared
that if the Georgian government does not withdraw its forces from
the region, he will start to wipe them out. At approximately
11:00, separatists resumed shelling the Georgian villages of Nuli,
6
Avnevi, Vanati, from the village of Khetagurovo. Three Georgian
servicemen were injured, Georgian law enforcers returned fire to-
wards the village of Khetagurovo where the firing came from, kill-
ing two separatists and wounding two others. At approximately
14:00, the Georgian peacekeeping checkpoint in Avnevi was shelled,
again from Khetagurovo, killing two Georgian peacekeepers and
eight civilians. At approximately 14:30, Georgian forces mobilized
tanks, 122mm howitzers, and 203mm self-propelled artillery in the
direction of the administrative border of South Ossetia, in an effort
to deter further separatist attacks. Meanwhile, the Special Envoy
of Russias Foreign Ministry, Yuri Popov, failed to arrive in Tskin-
vali and mediate preliminary agreed ceasefire talks, citing a flat
tire and refusal by the separatists, while shelling of government
controlled villages continued. At about 17:00, Georgian Special Envoy
Temur Yakobashvili visited the conflict zone to meet with repre-
sentatives of the separatists. Instead, he met Commander-in-chief
of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces General Marat Kulakhmetov in
Tskhinvali, who stated that he could contact the separatist leader
Eduard Kokoity, and that Russian peacekeepers could not stop the
separatist attacks. In spite of casualties among Georgian peace-
keepers and civilians killed by separatist fire, President Saakashvili
ordered an immediate ceasefire and called for negotiations. De-
spite the ceasefire declared by President Saakashvili, the separat-
ists intensified their shelling of Georgian villages and peacekeep-
ers. At approximately 20:30, a Government controlled village of
Avnevi came under separatist mortar fire from Khetagurovo. At
22:30, separatists fired at the Government-controlled villages of
Prisi and Tamarsheni, from Tskhinvali and the mountain of Tliaka-
na, wounding civilians. At 23:30, separatists opened heavy fire on
all Georgian peacekeepers positions around Tskhinvali, including
the villages of Tamarasheni and Kurta; the Kurta police station
was destroyed. At the same time large motorcades of the 58th
Russian army continued to enter the Roki Tunnel. At around 23:30,
in response to the intrusion of Russian armed forces on Georgian
territory, the Georgian military also entered the conflict zone in the
region. At 23:50, for the first time, and in response to the entry of
7
Russian armed forces into Georgian sovereign territory, Georgian
armed forces launched military action using armor, including tanks,
122mm howitzers, and 203mm self-propelled artillery system Dana.
On August 8, At approximately 00:45, Georgian forces fired artil-
lery rounds at the invading Russian forces on roads used by a Rus-
sian column already moving south of the Roki Tunnel. After ad-
vancing into the conflict zone of South Ossetia, Georgian armed
forces seized control of a significant number of villages around
Tskhinvali in the first five-hour period (Tsinagara, Orchosani, Did-
mukha, Muguti, Gromi, Dmenisi, and Artsevi). During the fighting,
Georgian armed forces encountered substantial Russian forces and
separatist paramilitary troops on the Dzari bypass road leading to
the northeastern part of Tskhinvali and the village of Khetagurovo,
which had been substantially re-enforced with advanced artillery
systems, armored vehicles, and self-propelled artillery. In response,
Georgian artillery shelled both positions. Georgian artillery and avi-
ation conducted a targeted attacks on the Gupta bridge, from where
Russian armed columns where moving down to Tskhinvali. At ap-
proximately 11:00, once Georgian forces had secured the heights
around Tskhinvali, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal
Affairs forces entered the city of Tskhinvali. These forces came
under fire from positions around the main government compound,
located in the center of Tskhinvali. In response, Georgian forces
employed precise artillery system Dana (not GRAD) against the
ministries of defense, interior, intelligence (KGB), and the main
government building of the separatists. Russian aviation bombed
Georgian positions on a continuous basis inside and around Tskhin-
vali once Government forces began advancing on the town. At
approximately 14:00, Georgian forces took control of most of Tskh-
invali. At 15:00, Georgian forces declared a 3-hour ceasefire to
establish a humanitarian corridor. The Russians used the cease-
fire to advance towards Tskinvali. By the evening they approached
the Big Liakhvi Valley from the north, but failed to enter it suffer-
ing heavy losses caused by Georgian artillery fire and also stopped
moving on the Dzari bypass road.
8
On August 9, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in
Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia to oversee the military operation. Russian
troops stuck on the road to Tskinvali received huge reinforcements
from the north and started to enter Tskinvali by the Dzari road from
the north-west. Confronting the Russian offensive, Georgian forces
maintained control of the city and its surrounding villages until late in
the evening. After 21:00, Georgian forces began a phased retreat from
Tskhinvali and re-positioned themselves south of the city.
On August 10, during the night and early in the morning, more
than 300 Russian tanks and armored vehicles, together with more
tha 10 000 troops passed the Roki Tunnel. Russian troops occu-
pied the Big Liakhvi and Frone Valleys, devastating all the Geor-
gian villages in the conflict zone. At the same time, the Russian
navy landed in the port city of Ochamchire and launched an unpro-
voked attack in Upper Abkhazia/Kodori Gorge using artillery and
massive air bombing. At approximately 15:00 Russian troops and
Abkhaz separatists launched an unprovoked ground attack on Up-
per Abkhazia. By that time, Georgian government had totally with-
drawn its forces from there. At 17:30 the Georgian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs handed a diplomatic note to the Russian Embassy
offering an immediate Georgian ceasefire. Yet, the Russians con-
tinued their military campaign.
On August 11, After ovewhelming the conflict zones of South
Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Russian troops followed by Ossetian
and Abkhaz paramilitaries entered Georgian regions of Shida Kartli
and Samegrelo, occupying the administrative cities of Gori and
Zugdidi, as well as more than 160 villages, severely damaging both
military and civilian infrastructure. Russian forces also reached
the military base near the town of Senaki and destroyed it. As a
result of the Russian invasion, Georgias main highway connecting
the countrys Eastern and Western parts was cut in two.
On August 12, Russian President Dimitry Medvedev announced
that the had ordered to end the military operation in Georgia. Later
9
on that day, a six-point cease-fire plan, mediated by the French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, was signed by Russian and Georgian
Presidents Dimitry Medvedev and Mikheil Saakashvili.
On August 13-25 , Russian Forces together with separatist para-
military troops continued to raid and loot the occupied territory,
utlimately stopping near Igoeti on the main highway. The Russians
destroyed a key railway bridge near village Grakali, started mas-
sive fires in the forests of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and
shut down the strategic Black Sea Port of Poti. Moreover, the
Russians established military check-points around the conflict zones,
labeling these territories as security/buffer zones.
On August 26, Both houses of the Russian Parliament passed
unanimous resolutions calling on the President to recongnize the
independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
On August 27, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed two
Presidential decrees, recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as
independent states, sanctioning the drafting of treaties of friend-
ship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the new states.
Chronology of Russian Air Bombings of Georgia
During the war, Georgian territory was subjected to aerial bombardment
over 75 times, with five fully confirmed Rocket Attacks from the Tochka-
U (SS-21) and Iskander-M (SS-26) class of missiles. The bombs and
missiles were dropped during at least 84 illegal incursions into Georgias
airspace.
The areas bombed far exceeded the putative conflict zone of South
Ossetia. Georgia is not a big country East to West, it measures about
598 km, and North to South 192km. Yet the distance between the two
most distant bombing targets was a mere 456 km.
At least 36 areas were bombed, of which 24 are villages (or areas near
villages) including those in the Upper Abkhazia, 6 are towns (or areas
near towns), one administrative unit (massive attack of the whole territory
10
of Upper Abkhazia) and key of elements of the national infrastructure.
In addition to Tbilisi and Upper Abkhazia, six of Georgias nine
administrative regions (Kakheti Region; Shida-Kartli Region; Kvemo-
Kartli Region; Samegrelo-Zemo-Svaneti Region; Racha-Lechkhumi-
Kvemo-Svaneti Region; Imereti Region), as well as the Autonomous
Republic of Adjara, were bombed:
Date and time of air
bombing
Area

8 Aug 09:30-09:44 Village Shavshvebi, Gori District
8 Aug 10:23-10:43 VillageVariani, Kareli District
8 Aug 10:50-11:04

Village Tkviavi, Gori District
Town of Gori
8 Aug 15:07-15:21 City of Tbilisi, Vaziani airdrome and airplane factory
8 Aug 15:50-16:20

Town of Marneuli
Town of Bolnisi
8 Aug 16:39-17:06 Town of Marneuli
8 Aug 18:29-18:58 Town of Gori
8-9 Aug 23:44-00:36 City of Tbilisi, Vaziani airdrome and airplane factory
8 Aug 23:50 Town of Poti (with Tochka-U/SS-21)
8-9 Aug 23:50-00:23
9 Aug 00:41-01:04
Town of Poti
9 Aug 09:23-09:45 Kopitnari Airport near the city of Kutaisi
9 Aug 09:52-10:24
9 Aug 10:21-10:46
Town of Gori
9 Aug 10:29-11:04 Village Shavshvebi, Gori District
9 Aug 13:42-13:50 Large part of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
9 Aug 14:03-14:11 Village Omarishara, Upper Abkhazia
9 Aug 14:26-14:39 Village Ajara, Upper Abkhazia
9 Aug 14:26-14:39 Village Chkhalta, Upper Abkhazia
9 Aug 16:04-16:14 Village Komandeli, Oni District
9 Aug 17:39-17:50
9 Aug 17:39-17:50
9 Aug 18:24-18:34
Jechora Gorge, Oni District
9 Aug 22:20-22:30 Village Chkhalta, Upper Abkhazia
Village Gentsvisi, Upper Abkhazia
9-10 Aug 23:50-00:23 Town of Senaki
10 Aug 05:27-05:47 City of Tbilisi, Vaziani airdrome and airplane factory
Baku-Supsa Oil Pipeline, 25 km section
10 Aug 06:02-09:15 Village Ajara, Upper Abkhazia
Village Chkhalta, Upper Abkhazia
Village Urta, Zugdidi District
10 Aug 11:25-11:27 Village Tsedisi, Oni District
10 Aug 12:22-12:26
10 Aug 13:51-13:55
Village Chkhalta, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 15:05-15:15 Large part of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 15:09-15:24 Village Knolevi, Kareli District
10 Aug 15:29-15:39 Town of Gori
10 Aug 15:40-15:50 Village Anaklia, Zugdidi District
10 Aug 16:09-16:14 Large part of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 16:20-16:35 Village Anaklia, Zugdidi District
10 Aug 17:21-17:55 Large part of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 18:42-19:16 City of Tbilisi, Leninisi Radar Station near Tbilisi
International Airport

11
10 Aug 19:40-20:05 Town of Senaki
Parts of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 22:03-22:09 Village Gentsvisi, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 20:23-20:27 Parts of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
10 Aug 23:54-00:00 Village Shavshvebi, Gori District
11 Aug 00:19-00:39 Parts of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
11 Aug 02:09-02:40 Village Chkhalta, Upper Abkhazia
11 Aug 02:44-03:20 Village Sharabidzeebi, Khelvachauri District
Village Kapandichi, Khelvachauri District
Village Makho, Khelvachauri District
11 Aug 03:03-03:29 Parts of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
11 Aug 04:12-04:50 City of Tbilisi, Leninisi Radar Station near Tbilisi
International Airport
Shiraki Airfield, Dedopliststkaro District
11 Aug 05:25-06:15 Town of Gori
11 Aug 07:10-07:20 Village Ganmukhuri, Zugdidi District
Village Anaklia, Zugdidi District
Town of Senaki
11 Aug 19:05-19:10 Parts of Kodori Gorge, Upper Abkhazia
12 Aug 01:30-02:00 Village Ruisi, Kareli District
Town of Kaspi, Railway Station
Town of Kaspi, Heidelberg Cement Factory
12 Aug 09:30-10:55 Town of Gori
12 Aug 11:30 Baku-Supsa Oil Pipeline, 27 km section (with Iskander-
M/SS-26)
12 Aug 12:00 (approx.) Town of Gori (with Iskander-M/SS-26)
12 Aug 14:00-14:15 Village Agara, Khashuri district
Village Sakorinto, Kaspi District
13 Aug morning, exact time
unknown
Village Sakasheti, Gori District
Village Okami, Kaspi District
Date and time unknown Village Karbi, Gori District
Date and time unknown Oni district (with Tochka-U/SS-21), found unexploded
Date and time unknown Village Sinaguri, Java District (with Tochka-U/SS-21),
found unexploded

Places in Georgia bombed by Russia

12
Landmines, Use of Explosives and Cluster Bombs
On August 17, Russian troops mined roads in the Svaneti region
and on the old Gori road south of Kaspi.
On August 18, Russian troops used explosive devices to destroy
military installations in Senaki.
On August 23 and 24, Russian troops used explosive devices to
destroy military installations in Osiauri.
On August 24, a landmine blew up a crude oil train 5 km west of
Gori. Other mines and buried artillery shells were subsequently
found at other spots along the tracks.
Cluster bombs
Human Rights Watch researchers documented the use of cluster muni-
tions by Russia during the conflict, refuting Russias earlier denials that it
had used such weapons. Human Rights Watch photographed unexploded
sub-munitions from cluster munitions in and around the villages of Shindisi
and Pkhvenisi, in the Gori district. There are still hundreds of unexploded
sub-munitions in the area.
1
Human Rights Watch confirmed that on 12
August, Russian aircraft dropped RBK-250 cluster bombs, each contain-
ing 30 PTAB 2.5M sub-munitions, on the town of Ruisi in the Kareli dis-
trict. Three civilians were killed and five wounded in the attack. On the
same day, a cluster strike in Gori city center killed at least eight civilians
and injured fifteen. A Dutch journalist, Stan Storimans was among the
dead and an Israeli journalist Zadok Yehezkeli was among the injured.
Occupation of Georgian Towns and Villages
After fanning out across the conflict zone in South Ossetia and Abkhazia,
Russian forces also entered core Georgian territory and occupied the
following cities, towns and villages prior to the ceasefire agreement
signed by Presidents Medvedev, Saakashvili and Sarkozy:
1
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/08/20/georgi19660.htm
13
Zugdidi 11.08.08
Village Beloti near Eredvi, Tskhinvali district 11.08.08
Village Shindisi, Gori district 11.08.08
Senaki 11.08.08
Gori, the only connection between East and West blocked by Russians 11.08.08
Village Khaishi, Svaneti region 12.08.08
Upper Abkhazia 12.08.08
Abkhaz Separatists enter demilitariaed zone (Village Ganmukhuri) 12.08.08
Additional troops enter Gori 13- 14.08.08
Village Atotsi, Kareli district, East of Gori 13.08.08
Village Pakhulani, Tzalenjikha district 13.08.08
Additional troops enter Zugdidi twice 14.08.08
Village Mejvriskhevi, Gori district 14.08.08
Villages Ruisi and Tzveri, Kareli district 14.08.08
East deep from Senaki 14.08.08
Tbilisi Intrusion Threat:
12 August
15 August
The day when the ceasfire was signed
On August 15, the ceasefire agreement was signed, but Russians kept
occupying Georgian settlements:
Village Abashistzkali, 40 km away from the second largest city of
Georgia, Kutaisi
Village Igoeti, Kaspi district, 40 km away from Tbilisi
Khashuri, 30 km west from Gori
Surami, 5-8 km west of Khashuri
14
Occupation of Georgian towns and villages after French-medi-
ated ceasefire
The ceasefire agreement signed by Georgia, France and Russia on 15
August committed Russian troops to withdraw to positions occupied on
7 August. Instead, Russia deepened its occupation of Georgia, entering
and occupying more towns and villages far away from the conflict
zones:
Sachkhere parts, Western Georgia 16.08.08
Akhalgori, 40 km North-West of Tbilisi 16.08.08
Additional Russian troops entered Senaki military base 17.08.08
South Ossetian separatist paramilitaries enter Akhalgori 17.08.08
Russian armored vehicles advanced towards the
Supsa oil terminal, near Poti 17.08.08
Russian troops again block the road near Kaspi 18.08.08
Russian troops advance towards Sachkere 19.08.08
Russian troops enter Poti port again 19.08.08
Russian troops open checkpoints on the outskirts of Poti 20.08.08
Russian troops occupy village Chogha in the Chkhorotsku
district of Samegrelo 20.08.08
Russian troops occupy village Perevi and Sachkhere in Imereti 20.08.08
Civilian, Military and Journalist Casualty Figures
The number of dead and wounded are based exclusively on the human
remains received by the Health Care System, the Ministry of Internal
Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of Georgia. It does not include
those kept, buried, burned or otherwise disposed of within the area
under Russian control.
Citizens of Georgia killed
Citizens of Georgia wounded
Total: 2234
Military: 1964
Civilian: 170
Total 364
Military 170
Civilian 194
15
Missing Soldiers 14
Journalists
Killed: 3 (1 international, 2 Georgians).
Injured: 6 (3 internationals, 3 Georgians).
Detained by Russians/Ossetes: 10 (8 internationals, 2 Georgians).
Attacked by Russians/Ossetes: 3 (2 internationals, 1 Georgian).
Robbed by Russians/Ossetes: 12 (all internationals).
Ethnic Cleansing of Georgians in South Ossetia and Abkhazia
During the hostilities in South Ossetia on 8-12 August and thereaf-
ter, Russian troops together with paramilitary irregulars, devastated
and cleansed all 21 ethnically Georgian and mixed Ossettian/Geor-
gian villages in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone (with approxi-
mately 13, 438 people). In addition, Russian forces and paramili-
tary irregulars expelled Georgians from all 23 villages in Upper
Abkhazia/the Kodori Gorge (with approximately 2,130 people).
The Russian army and Ossetian separatist paramilitary forces de-
liberately targeted civilian populations in the Georgian villages of
Big Liakhvi, Little Liakhvi and the Frone valleys in South Ossetia.
According to eye witness accounts and reports by international
human rights organizations, forces involved in ethnic cleansing ac-
tively singles out ethnic Georgians and so-called Ossettian sympa-
thizers, conducting summary executions and rape. Forces also
selectively captured elderly people and held them as hostages in a
special concentration camp in Tskinvali, later exchanging them
for prisoners of war. Repeated and multiple instances of looting
and the repeated burning of entire villages has been recorded.
In many villages all houses owned by ethnic Georgians were burned,
and the villages were later flattened with bulldozers creating no-
mans lands and ghost villages in areas of South Ossetia. Satellite
images provided by UNOSAT provide irrefutable evidence of a
clear pattern of ethnic cleansing lasting well beyond the cessation
16
of direct hostilities. These images clearly demonstrate the damage
inflicted upon several Georgian villages around the city of Tskinvali.
On 15 August, the separatist leader of South Ossetia Eduard Kokoity
declared publicly that it was their goal to purge the Georgian en-
claves in South Ossetia so as not to allow ethnic Georgians to ever
return to their homes.
After Russian, Ossetian and other paramilitary forces destroyed
Georgian villages within the conflict zone, expelling and killing eth-
nic Georgians, they extended their activities to nearby Georgian
villages in the Gori and Kareli districts. These areas are now in-
cluded by Russia into the so-called security/buffer zone. Rus-
sian and paramilitary forces also entered the Georgian populated
Akhalgori district, which used to be part of South Ossetia in the
Soviet times, but has always been under the control of Tbilisi. Their
Russian forces have presented an ultimatum to the residents of
Akhalgori: either to acquire Russian passports or leave their homes.
As a result many ethnic Georgians have been forced to flee.
Internally Displaced Persons
According to the Civil Registry Service of the Ministry of Justice of Geor-
gia, in total, 125,810 people were forced to leave their homes because of
Russian invasion and occupation of Georgian towns and villages.
By the end of August, many IDPs from the town of Gori returned to their
homes, as well as some IDPs from the villages in the so-called security/
buffer zone near South Ossetia risked to returm without any security
guarantees. However, by the end of August there were still 47,534 IDPs.
Area Registered Population Registered IDPs
Georgian controlled villages in
South Ossetia (Big Liakhvi,
Small Liakhvi and Frone
valleys)

13, 438

13, 260
Upper Abkhazia (Kodori Gorge) 2, 130 1, 218
Akhalgori district 7, 871 2, 254
Gori district 29, 317 26, 575
Kareli district 7, 894 4, 227
Total number of IDPs unable to return by the end of August: 47 534

17
Illegal Russian Checkpoints
The Russian army established 28 illegal checkpoints deep within
Georgian territory, contravening the six-point ceasefire agree-
ment brokered by France.
Thirteen of the checkpoints were stationed in Central Georgia and
twelve in Western Georgia.
There were an estimated 1,470 Russian soldiers and 237 heavily ar-
mored vehicles (including 6 tanks) stationed at these checkpoints. The
largest number of armored vehicles was positioned between the vil-
lages of Megvrekisi and Brotsleti (about 150 tanks). Armored patrols
were dispatched regularly from the checkpoints into surrounding towns
and villages.
Locations
In Eastern Georgia (Shida Kartli and Mtskheta Mtianeti regions) new Rus-
sian checkpoints and troops were located in or near the following villages:
1. Perevi (Sachkhere district)
2. Ghodora (Sachkhere district)
3. Ali (Khashuri district)
4. Ptsa (Kareli district)
5. Variani (Gori district)
6. Karaleti (Gori district)
7. Shavshvebi (Gori district)
8. Ergneti (Gori district)
9. Ikoti (Akhalgori district)
10. Between Meghvrekisi and Brotsleti (Gori district)
11. Odzisi (Akhalgori district)
12. Mosabruni (Akhalgori district)
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In Western Georgia (in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Upper Abkhazia
regions) Russian troops were located in or near the following villages:
13. Teklati (near Senaki on the main East/West highway)
14. Pirveli Maisi (Khobi district)
15. Between Chaladidi and Shua Khorga (Khobi district, near Poti)
16. Nabada (at the entrance of Poti)
17. Menji (Senaki district)
18. Kantisubani (on the road between Tsalenjikha and Chkhorotsku)
19. Chale and Muzhava crossroads (Tsalenjikha district)
20. Mount Kvira (Tsalenjikha district)
21. Chkhorotsku (Chkhorotsku district)
22. Anaklia (Zugdidi district)
23. Khudoni (Mestia district)
24. Gentsvisi (Upper Abkhazia/Kodori Gorge)
25. Omarishara (Upper Abkhazia/Kodori Gorge)
26. Sakeni (Upper Abkhazia/Kodori Gorge)
27. Chkhalta (Upper Abkhazia/Kodori Gorge)
28. Kvabchara (Upper Abkhazia/Kodori Gorge)
Overview of the illegal checkpoint situation:
New Russian Check-Points after the Invasion of Georgia (by 05.09.2008)
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Location of checkpoints in Central Georgia
New Russian Check-Points after the Invasion of Georgia (by
05.09.2008): Perevi, Godora, Ali, Variani, Ikoti, Ptsa, Karaleti,
Shavshvebi, Ergneti, Megvrekisi-Brotsleti, Odzisi, Mosabruni.
Administrative
border of South
Ossetia ----
Location of checkpoints in Western Georgia
New Russian Check-Points after the Invasion of
Georgia (by 05.09.2008): Anaklia, Khudoni, Kvira, Chale-
Muzhava, Pirveli Maisi, Chkhorotsku, Menji, Nabada
(Poti), Chaladidi, Teklati, Kantisubani. In Upper
Abkhazia: Gentsvishi, Omarishara, Sakeni, Chkhalta,
Kvabchara.
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Later, the Russia government declared it had decided to deploy 3,800-
3,800 regular troops inside South Ossetia (Java and Tskinvali) and
Abkhazia (Ochamchire and Gudauta).
Environmental Destruction
Borjomi Gorge fire
The fire started on August 15 above village Tsagveri after Russian
helicopters were observed flying over the area dropping incendiary
devices. The fire affected a total of 1000 hectares in Tsaghveri and the
surrounding areas: 300 hectares are fully burned out and fire has af-
fected another 700 hectares.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park fire
The fire started on August 16, also after helicopters were observed dropping
incendiary devices. The park is one of the Georgias largest with 61 235
Hectares. The fire destroyed more than 150 hectares of forest.
Ateni Gorge fire
The fire started on August 17 following Russian aviation over flight.
The fire was smaller, consuming 50 hectares, and was finally extin-
guished on August 30.
Oil Pollution of Coastal Areas
Russian forces blew up Georgian coastguard vessels in Poti and in the
Black Sea, releasing about 48.5 tons of oil products into the sea.
Visits of High-Ranking Foreign Officials to Georgia
August, 10. Foreign Minister of France Bernard Kouchner (EU For-
eign Minister as well) and Foreign Minister of Finland Alexander Stubb
(OSCE chairman-in- office).
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August 12. French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
August 13. Presidents of Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania and Latvian
Prime Minister.
August 17. US democrat Senator Joseph Biden.
August 17. German chancellor Angela Merkel.
August 17. Leader of British Conservative Party David Cameron.
August 15. Foreign Minister of Estonia, Urmas Paet.
August 15. US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice.
August 19. EC monitoring group composed of Matias Iorsh and Castrio Islam.
August 19. UK Foreign Secretary David Milliband.
August 19. The delegation of European Parliament.
August 19. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antnio Guterres.
August 21. President of Romania Traian Basesku.
August 22. OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Finland
Alexander Stubb.
August 22. NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for
South Caucasus and Central Asia Robert Simmons.
August 24. 2008 the US Republican senator Richard Lugar.
August 25. Council of Europe Commisioner for Human Rigths Tho-
mas Hammarberg.
August 26. US delegation composed of Under Secretary of State for
Economic and Business Affairs Reuben Jeffery, high officials of finan-
cial organizations and heads of large investment agencies.
September 3. Foreign Minister of Italy Franco Frattini.
September 4. US Vice President Dick Cheney.
September 8. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of
European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso and EU high commis-
sioner on general foreign policy and security policy Xavier Solana.
Agreements
Six-point Peace Plan
On August 12, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met French
President Nicolas Sarkozy, and approved a six-point peace plan. Late
that night Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili agreed to the text.
Sarkozys plan originally had just the first four points. Russia added the
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fifth and sixth points. Georgia asked for the additions in parentheses,
but Russia rejected them, and Sarkozy convinced Georgia to agree to
the unchanged text.
1. No recourse to the use of force.
2. Definitive cessation of hostilities.
3. Free access to humanitarian aid (addition rejected: and to allow
the return of refugees).
4. The Armed Forces of Georgia must withdraw to their permanent
positions.
Georgian military forces must withdraw to their normal bases
of encampment.
5. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must withdraw to the
line where they were stationed prior to the beginning of hostilities. Prior
to the establishment of international mechanisms the Russian
peacekeeping forces will take additional security measures.
Russian military forces must withdraw to the lines prior to the
start of hostilities. While awaiting an international mechanism,
Russian peacekeeping forces will implement additional secu
rity measures (addition rejected: six months).
6. An international debate on the future status of South Ossetia and
Abkhazia and ways to ensure their lasting security will take place.
Opening of international discussions on the modalities of last
ing security in Abkhazia and South Ossetia (addition rejected:
based on the decisions of the UN and the OSCE).
September 8 Agreement
Russian troops will leave areas outside Abkhazia, South Ossetia
within a month;
At least 200 EU monitors will be deployed in those areas;
OSCE monitors will be able to return to Tskhinvali;
UN observers will remain in Abkhazia;
Int. discussions to start on October 15;
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Saakashvili has pledged not to use force;
French and Russian Presidents agreed after four hours talks in
Moscow on September 8, that Russia will pull out its troops from
the Georgian territories outside Abkhazia and South Ossetia within
a month.
Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian President, said at a joint news
conference with his French counterpart, that the agreement had
been made on additional measures to implement the August 12,
2008 six-point ceasefire plan.