Conflicts of Russia and Transcaucasia

The Conflicts

Russia v. Chechnya

First Chechen War Nov – Chechnya refuses to sign Federation Treaty Dec – Russia invades to stop Chechnya from seceding Ceasefire signed in1996 due to hostage crisis and political pressure on Boris Yeltsin Upwards of 100,000 die ( ~ 35,000 civilian)

Second Chechen War Russia invades again in 1999 after bombings in Moscow and other cities that Russians blame on Chechen terrorists Russia captures Grozny in 2000, dismantling the major army International condemnation toward Russia for flagrant human rights abuses Conflict continues through rebel and guerilla attacks (subway bombings, Beslan School, suicide attacks, etc)

Georgia v. The Ossetians

First Ossetian Conflict : South Ossetians (Georgia) wanted to unite with North Ossetians (Russia) and ask Georgia for “autonomous republic” status 1989: Georgia refuses and declares Georgian as official language countrywide 1990: South Ossetia declares itself fully sovereign within the USSR 1990: Georgia eliminates any autonomous status for South Ossetia 1991: Violent conflict erupts 1992: Georgia signs ceasefire to avoid confrontation with Russia; joint peacekeeping force established 1994: Tensions increase again as Georgia makes moves to bring region back under Georgian rule 2,000 deaths and 40,000 refugees

2008 Georgian/Ossetian War

2008 Georgian/Ossetian War (Russia-Georgia War) 8/7/2008: Georgia launches a large-scale military attack in South Ossetia 8/8/2008: Russia deploys troops in South Ossetia and drops bombs further south, Russian navy blocks Georgian coast and lands more troops 8/9/2008: Russia and Abkhazia open second front in the Kodori Gorge 8/13/2008: Georgian troops are ejected from South Ossetia and Abkhazia 8/14/2008: Ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia is signed (mediated by EU)

2008 Georgian/Ossetian War (Russia-Georgia War) 8/26/2008: Russia recognizes independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russian troops remain behind (including in some territories previously held by Georgia). Georgia considers both areas Russian- Occupied Territories

2008 Georgian-Ossetian War

Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh

History of over 1000 years of conflict over control of the region The area in question is more than 75% Armenian, but lies within the current internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan Open warfare has occurred sporadically over the past 100 years, but in the late 1980’s-early 1990’s (end of Soviet control) violence escalated in frequency and intensity Armenia eventually won control over the territory in 1994