The fourth Russian military base in South Ossetia is marking the war of August 8, 2008. Back then Georgian forces attacked Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia. Russia mobilized forces to protect the state and pushed out Georgian troops out in 5 days.
According to South Ossetia, over 1,500 people died in the conflict. Russia confirmed deaths of only 162 people. Colonel-General Anatoly Nogovitsyn, Russian Deputy Chief of General Staff, said on August 5, 2009, that 64 Russian troops die, RIA Novosti reports.
Commemoration was organized, attended by commanders of the Southern Military District, the 58th army. A minute of silence commemorated victims of the war. Their names were read out by Major-General Alexander Shushukin. Andrey Zizo was the priest commemorating them.
Flowers were laid at the memorial of Russian Hero Denis Vetchinov who saved Russian journalists.
A documentary about the war will be demonstrated in the evening.
Georgia has not quit its vengeful plans against Abkhazia and South Ossetia yet, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said. Georgian special forces keep breaking into the Galsky District.
Georgia may provoke fears over threats from Russia in the light of the upcoming elections. Hysteria over Kavkaz-2012 training announced in late 2011 continues.
Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, Venezuela, Vanuatu and Tuvalu recognized independence of South Ossetia in 2008-2011. Karasin believes that US pressurizes other states to prevent recognition. Georgian Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze said that there were no states planning to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
