The majority of ethnic Ossetians (over half a million) lives in the Russian province of North Ossetia.
The Ossetian population of the South Ossetia was about 60 thousands as of 1986. Since than, after the Georgian region was divided between separatists and Georgian forces, the population has decreased significantly, as many people fled from the conflict zone.
Despite that, Georgian government has been offering a very broad autonomy for the region, which would mean a higher level of independence, than the Russian North Ossetia has.
Georgian government has been offering full amnesty to the separatists and stressing importance of equality and peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups (such coexistence actually exists on the Georgian controlled territories). Various official proposals have been made in Georgian, Russian and Ossetian languages.
Russian propaganda is, however, presenting the Georgian side as fascist and hostile towards ethnic Ossetians and uses this false argument as a justification for Russia’s military invasion in Georgia.
Soviet Union established the autonomy in the Tskhinvali region after occupying Georgia in the 1920ies. As of 1986, the region had about 90 thousand inhabitants, of which about 60 thousands were ethnic Ossetians and 30 thousand Georgians.
For decades Ossetian minority has been living side by side with Georgians, all around Georgia, without any notable complications.
After the crush of the Soviet Union, separatists supported by Russian military established control over a big part of the territory. At the same time, a big part of Ossetian ethnic minority remained on the Georgian side, in various places, including Georgian capital and the region itself, and lived peacefully.
Separatist and Russian forces constantly kept attacking Georgian controlled and Georgian populated villages in the region.
As the Olympiad approached, the attacks on the Georgian controlled villages became more intensive. Georgian forces responded and forced the Russian-backed separatists out of their positions. Later Georgian side proposed a cease-fire, however, new military attacks from Russia followed. Georgian military responded again.
On that stage Russia started open military aggression.
South Ossetia, as a source of instability in the region, has been used by Russia as a tool of pressure on Georgia (along with Abkhazia) since the breakdown of the Soviet Union.
It’s evident that separatist forces have been controlled by Russia. Not only the separatist leaders have been visiting Moscow frequently, but their government also included some former Russian generals.
At the current stage of the Russian military invasion the separatists don’t play any significant role in the conflict. As already shown, the whole population on the territory controlled by the separatists was less than Russian 58th army.
Russian aircrafts are bombing the whole territory of Georgia. On the second day of bombing, hundreds are already dead or injured. Numerous living blocks in various cities of Georgia are destroyed.
Russian 58th army alone, which is currently fighting against Georgia, is twice bigger than the Georgian military forces.
At the same time, Russian 4th army, as well as informal fighters supported by Russia, are involved.
While Russia is bombing the whole territory of Georgia, their bombings and invasion is especially active in the Tskhinvali region. Russian aircrafts have destroyed the cities and villages in the region and the population fled from the whole territory, including the territories previously controlled by Georgia.
Currently the Georgian military is actively fighting against Russian forces in South Ossetia, however, taking into account the quantitative proportions, Georgia will not be able to survive alone, without factual support from outside.
It can be said, that Russian military invasion is the price that Georgia is paying for its unwillingness to be a Russian colony or satellite.
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