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...... The Russian security establishment, (which is the organization Vladimir Putin headed before he became president), likes the Ossetes, who have been Russian allies for more than 250 years says Lieven. They loathe the Georgians and, in particular, Saakashvilli, for their anti-Russian nationalism and alliance with the U.S. They had hoped to use South Ossetia to keep Georgia within the Soviet Union and later, at least, under their sphere of influence. They had to abandon that ambition due to the Georgians stubborn determination to be independent
But when Georgia threatened to attack South Ossetia, Lieven continued, Vladimir Putin made it clear several times that Russia would not be defeated by Georgia and that they would attack if Georgia attempted any military action against South Ossetia. Western experts claimed that Russia was bluffing. They werent. Russia would later claim they attacked for
humanitarian purposes. They didnt. (The georgia-russia crisis and the responsibility to
protect: background note, 2008)
War
Thursday, August 7, 2008. Georgia launches a surprise attack sending a large force into South Ossetia and reaching the capital of Tskhinvali. Russias envoy in South Ossetia, Yuri Popov, calls on NATO to reconsider plans to offer Georgia membership. (BBC news, 2008) Some

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