Why and when did Russia invade Georgia, what is happening now?
Following the Rose Revolution, a series of reforms was launched to strengthen the country’s military and economic capabilities. The new government’s efforts to reassert Georgian authority in the southwestern autonomous republic of Ajaria led to a major crisis early in 2004. Success in Ajaria encouraged Saakashvili to intensify his efforts, but without success, in the breakaway South Ossetia. These events along with accusations of Georgian involvement in the Second Chechen War, resulted in a severe deterioration of relations with Russia, fuelled also by Russia’s open assistance and support to the two secessionists areas. Russian military bases (dating back to Soviet era) in Georgia were evacuated, with the last remaining base in Batumi handed over to Georgia in 2007. In July 2008, hostilities started between Ossetian militia and Georgian armed forces. This led to a full-fledged attack of Georgian armed forces with artillery and MLRS fire on Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) on Friday Au
