MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On the night of August 7, 2008, Georgian army attacked Tskhinval, the capital of the South Ossetia region, using heavy artillery, tanks and aircraft. In only a few hours, thousands of people were killed and injured.
"Our country has always striven for peace in the Caucasus. Today, we are helping to build a safe and secure life in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. And recent events have once again shown that the peaceful resolution of the internal conflicts is the only way to save the people and states," Medvedev wrote on his Facebook profile.
Russian peacekeepers, which were called upon to ensure peace, in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations, also lost their lives in the attacks.
Georgia’s offensive against the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008 led to the five-day war with Russia.
"Russia responded harshly, but adequate. Within the framework of norms and principles of national and international law. The main goal of Russia's actions was to prevent loss of life and humanitarian catastrophe," Medvedev noted.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia are still considered by the government in Tbilisi to be occupied territories.
