Russian-Georgian opposition: a year later

PanARMENIAN.Net - Today marks a year since Georgia launched a massive artillery barrage against Tskhinvali, the capital of its breakaway South Ossetia, "to restore constitutional order and territorial integrity of Georgia."



The aggression prompted immediate reaction by Russian troops that led to five days of bitter fighting.



International experts labeled Saakashvili's decision as a blunter.



Russia recognized independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia last August. During a recent visit to Georgia, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden warned Mikheil Saakashvili against any use of force against the breakaway republic.



Meanwhile, the Government of Georgia submitted a 190-page "Statement in relation to full-scale Russian aggression carried out against Georgia". The report says 412 people were killed, including 170 soldiers and 228 civilians. 1747 people were wounded, 24 more people missing. Earlier, in September 2008, Georgian authorities reported 326 killed, 2234 wounded and 14 missing from the Georgian side.