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|strength2=Unknown |strength2=Unknown
|casualties1={{flagicon|South Ossetia}} Unknown<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} 18 killed, 7 missing and 150 wounded (Russian claim)<ref name=lenta>{{ru icon}} , ], 09.08.2008</ref> |casualties1={{flagicon|South Ossetia}} Unknown<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} 18 killed, 7 missing and 150 wounded (Russian claim)<ref name=lenta>{{ru icon}} , ], 09.08.2008</ref>
|casualties2=Unknown
|casualties2=180 killed (Georgian claim)<ref>http://www.effedieffe.com/content/view/4120/183/</ref>
|casualties3=Possibly about 2,000 Ossetian and 15 Georgian civilians killed (Russian claim)<ref>http://lenta.ru/news/2008/08/09/dead1/</ref> |casualties3=Possibly about 2,000 Ossetian and 15 Georgian civilians killed (Russian claim)<ref name=lenta/>
}} }}
{{Campaignbox 2008 South Ossetia War}} {{Campaignbox 2008 South Ossetia War}}


The '''Battle of Tskhinvali''' was a battle for the city of ], the capital of the ]'s breakway province of ], that was being fought for over three days in August 2008, as the main ] in the ]. Tskhinvali been devastated in the fighting. The '''Battle of Tskhinvali''' was a battle for the city of ], the capital of the ]'s breakway province of ], that was being fought for over three days in August 2008, as the main ] in the ]. The city of Tskhinvali has been devastated in the fighting.


==The battle== ==The battle==

===Overview===
The cities of Tskhinvali and ] are located in the valley of the ], within about 20 miles (32 km) from each other. The Georgian military was based at Gori, while Tskhinvali was the primary objective of the Georgian forces. It has been suggested that the ultimate goal of the Georgian forces was to control the ], which is the sole major land route from ] to South Ossetia.<ref>, ], 9 Aug.'08</ref> The cities of Tskhinvali and ] are located in the valley of the ], within about 20 miles (32 km) from each other. The Georgian military was based at Gori, while Tskhinvali was the primary objective of the Georgian forces. It has been suggested that the ultimate goal of the Georgian forces was to control the ], which is the sole major land route from ] to South Ossetia.<ref>, ], 9 Aug.'08</ref>
===Details===
⚫ The Georgian Army entered the province of South Ossetia during the early hours of ], ] after a prolonged ] onslaught on the city of Tskhinvali.<ref></ref> By 04:45am Georgian State Minister for Reintegration ] announced that Tskhinvali was nearly surrounded by the Georgian forces.<ref> '']''. 8 August 2008.</ref> After hours of artillery bombardment Georgian mechanized forces moved into the city and were heading toward the city center, where they were met with fierce resistance from South Ossetian separatist rebels. The Georgian forces kept advancing despite strong opposition from the South Ossetian defenders. Georgian snipers were the most lethal on the battlefield killing anything that moved according to the civilians. The rebel presidential palace in the city was burning as intense hand-to-hand fighting broke out across the town. Apartment blocks were devastated as the remains of Georgian tanks struck by RPG's were burning in the middle of the streets. The Georgian army needed only a few hours to take the city and by the end of the day it had.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4493620.ece</ref>


⚫ The Georgian Army entered the province of South Ossetia during the early hours of ], ] after a prolonged ] onslaught on the city of Tskhinvali.<ref></ref> By 04:45am Georgian State Minister for Reintegration ] announced that Tskhinvali was nearly surrounded by the Georgian forces.<ref> '']''. 8 August 2008.</ref> After hours of artillery bombardment Georgian mechanized forces moved into the city and were heading toward the city center, where they were met with fierce resistance from South Ossetian separatist rebels. The Georgian forces kept advancing despite strong opposition from the South Ossetian defenders. The separatist presidential palace in Tskhinvali was burning as intense fighting broke out across the town. The Georgian army needed only a few hours to take the city and by the end of the day it had.<ref>, '']'', ], ]</ref>
The legacy of the night attack was initially assessed as about 1,600 civilians killed according to the South Ossetian sources, and about 100 civilians killed according to the Georgian sources.<ref></ref>


However, despite the Georgian claim that Tskhinvali was captured and Georgia now controlled two-thirds of South Ossetia's territory<ref>http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12933348&PageNum=0</ref> reports were coming out of the city that fighting was still continuing and there were still some pockets of South Ossetian resistance. Television footage that came out of the city showed four Georgian tanks were on fire at the railroad station square with a few dead Georgian soldiers beside them on the ground.<ref></ref> The legacy of the night attack was initially assessed as about 1,600 civilians killed according to the South Ossetian sources,{{cn}} and about 100 civilians killed according to the Georgian sources.{{cn}} However, despite the Georgian claim that Tskhinvali was captured and Georgia now controlled two-thirds of South Ossetia's territory reports were coming out of the city that fighting was still continuing and there were still some pockets of South Ossetian resistance. At this time the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that the Georgians had killed at least 10 Russian soldiers and wounded 30 in the first shelling of the peacekeepers base at the city,<ref>{{ru icon}} , ], 08.08.2008</ref> later that number was revised to 13 killed and 70 wounded.{{cn}}

At this time the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that the Georgians had killed at least 10 Russian soldiers and wounded 30 in the first shelling of the peacekeepers base at the city,<ref> {{ru icon}}</ref> later that number was revised to 13 killed and 70 wounded.


During the afternoon of August 8, Russian ground forces, with ], crossed the international border into South Ossetia from the Russian republic of ] and reached Tskhinvali several hours later. Two armored tank battalions of the ] were moving toward Tskhinvali.<ref> (in Russian)</ref><ref></ref> Both sides (Russia and Georgia) used armoured vehicles and artillery during the fight for the city. On ], the ] commander ] was wounded in a Georgian ambush which reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the Russian forces.<ref name=mk/> During the afternoon of August 8, Russian ground forces, with ], crossed the international border into South Ossetia from the Russian republic of ] and reached Tskhinvali several hours later. Two armored tank battalions of the ] were moving toward Tskhinvali.<ref> (in Russian)</ref><ref></ref> Both sides (Russia and Georgia) used armoured vehicles and artillery during the fight for the city. On ], the ] commander ] was wounded in a Georgian ambush which reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the Russian forces.<ref name=mk/>


After the Russians drove the Georgians out of the outskirts of Tskhinvali, the Georgian units regrouped with armored reinforcements from ]. On the later half of August 9, the regrouped Georgian forces launched a new offensive against South Ossetian and Russian defenders of Tskhinvali using heavy artillery (]), ], and ]. Heavy fighting was underway on the city outskirts, as at least three Georgian tanks were reported hit.<ref>http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=95975 Georgia Army Launches New Offensive on South Ossetia Capital Tskhinvali, 9 August 2008, Saturday</ref> Just before midnight a five-hour artillery onslaught on the city ended. The OSInform News Agency claimed a major Georgian attack had been stopped, reporting 12 Georgian tanks destroyed and 1 Georgian bomber shot down. The fighting with the Georgian infantry on the south of Tshinvali continued. Civilians still remained in the basements with no food or water. The South Ossetian forces complained that Georgia has yet not provided a peace corridor to evacuate the civilians caught up in crossfire. After the Russians drove the Georgians out of the outskirts of Tskhinvali, the Georgian units regrouped with armored reinforcements from ]. On the later half of August 9, the regrouped Georgian forces launched a new offensive against South Ossetian and Russian defenders of Tskhinvali using artillery.{{cn}} Heavy fighting was underway on the city outskirts.<ref>, ], 9 August 2008</ref> Just before midnight a five-hour artillery onslaught on the city ended,{{cn}} but the fighting with the Georgian infantry on the south of Tshinvali continued.{{cn}} Civilians still remained in the basements with no food or water. The South Ossetian forces complained that Georgia has yet not provided a peace corridor to evacuate the civilians caught up in crossfire.{{cn}}


By ], the joint Russian and South Ossetian forces regained control over the city center as the Georgian forces withdrew as Russia had demanded.<ref></ref> However, according to the Russians some Georgian ]s and mobile infantry groups still remained in Tskhinvali.<ref>, ], 10 August 2008</ref> By ], the joint Russian and South Ossetian forces regained control over the city center as the Georgian forces withdrew as Russia had demanded.<ref></ref> However, according to the Russians some Georgian ]s and mobile infantry groups still remained in Tskhinvali.<ref>, ], 10 August 2008</ref>


While there was no ground fighting in Gori, the launch point of the Georgian military, the city was attacked from the air and large areas associated with or nearby the Georgian military were heavily damaged.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7550804.stm</ref> While there was no ground fighting in Gori, the launch point of the Georgian military, the city was attacked from the air and large areas associated with or nearby the Georgian military were heavily damaged.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7550804.stm</ref>

==Tskhinvali Destroyed==
Many sources confirmed the capital of South Ossetia had been over 70% completely devastated by the Georgian artillery fire by the night of August 8, the day of the Olympics Opening Ceremony in China.<ref></ref> The heavy artillery barrage on the suburban area began at 23.30, August 7.


==Casualties== ==Casualties==
According to a Russian officials' estimate, around 1,500-2,000 civilians have died (the pre-war population being around 30,000).<ref>, ], 09 Aug 2008</ref> A South Ossetian official claimed that "foreign mercenaries" were found among the dead Georgian soldiers (that information has not been confirmed by Georgia), some described as being black.<ref>, '']'', Aug. 10, 2008</ref> Several journalists were reported to be among the casualties,<ref name=journalists/> including the two who were embedded with the ambushed Russian armoured column in which general Khrulyov was wounded.<ref name=mk/> According to a Russian officials' estimate, around 1,500-2,000 civilians have died (the pre-war population being around 30,000).<ref>, ], 09 Aug 2008</ref> A South Ossetian official claimed that "foreign mercenaries" were found among the dead Georgian soldiers (that information has not been confirmed by Georgia).<ref>, '']'', Aug. 10, 2008</ref> Several journalists were reported to be among the casualties,<ref name=journalists/> including the two who were embedded with the ambushed Russian armoured column in which general Khrulyov was wounded.<ref name=mk/>


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
*, '']'', ], ]


===Videos=== ===Videos===

Revision as of 19:21, 11 August 2008

Battle of Tskhinvali
Part of 2008 South Ossetia war

Movements of opposing forces around Tskhinvali. Blue arrows show Georgian movements, red show Russian.
DateAugust 8 - August 10, 2008
LocationTskhinval, South Ossetia (Georgia)
Result Russian-Ossetian victory, Georgian withdrawal
Belligerents
South Ossetia Republic of South Ossetia
Russia Russian Federation		 Georgia (country) Georgia
Commanders and leaders
South Ossetia Unknown
Russia Anatoly Khrulyov of the 58th Army (WIA)
Russia Marat Kulakhmetov of the former peacekeeping forces		 Unknown
Strength
South Ossetia Unknown
Russia 1,700 troops formerly serving as peacekeepers and several thousand troops from Russia		 Unknown
Casualties and losses
South Ossetia Unknown
Russia 18 killed, 7 missing and 150 wounded (Russian claim)		 Unknown
Possibly about 2,000 Ossetian and 15 Georgian civilians killed (Russian claim)
Russo-Georgian War
South Ossetia

Abkhazia

Georgia

Uncontested Georgia

The Battle of Tskhinvali was a battle for the city of Tskhinvali, the capital of the Georgia's breakway province of South Ossetia, that was being fought for over three days in August 2008, as the main engagement in the 2008 South Ossetia War. The city of Tskhinvali has been devastated in the fighting.

The battle

The cities of Tskhinvali and Gori are located in the valley of the Greater Liakhvi River, within about 20 miles (32 km) from each other. The Georgian military was based at Gori, while Tskhinvali was the primary objective of the Georgian forces. It has been suggested that the ultimate goal of the Georgian forces was to control the Roki Tunnel, which is the sole major land route from Russia to South Ossetia.

The Georgian Army entered the province of South Ossetia during the early hours of August 8, 2008 after a prolonged artillery onslaught on the city of Tskhinvali. By 04:45am Georgian State Minister for Reintegration Temuri Yakobashvili announced that Tskhinvali was nearly surrounded by the Georgian forces. After hours of artillery bombardment Georgian mechanized forces moved into the city and were heading toward the city center, where they were met with fierce resistance from South Ossetian separatist rebels. The Georgian forces kept advancing despite strong opposition from the South Ossetian defenders. The separatist presidential palace in Tskhinvali was burning as intense fighting broke out across the town. The Georgian army needed only a few hours to take the city and by the end of the day it had.

The legacy of the night attack was initially assessed as about 1,600 civilians killed according to the South Ossetian sources, and about 100 civilians killed according to the Georgian sources. However, despite the Georgian claim that Tskhinvali was captured and Georgia now controlled two-thirds of South Ossetia's territory reports were coming out of the city that fighting was still continuing and there were still some pockets of South Ossetian resistance. At this time the Russian Ministry of Defence reported that the Georgians had killed at least 10 Russian soldiers and wounded 30 in the first shelling of the peacekeepers base at the city, later that number was revised to 13 killed and 70 wounded.

During the afternoon of August 8, Russian ground forces, with air support, crossed the international border into South Ossetia from the Russian republic of North Ossetia-Alania and reached Tskhinvali several hours later. Two armored tank battalions of the 58th Army were moving toward Tskhinvali. Both sides (Russia and Georgia) used armoured vehicles and artillery during the fight for the city. On August 9, the Russian 58th Army commander Anatoly Khrulyov was wounded in a Georgian ambush which reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the Russian forces.

After the Russians drove the Georgians out of the outskirts of Tskhinvali, the Georgian units regrouped with armored reinforcements from Gori. On the later half of August 9, the regrouped Georgian forces launched a new offensive against South Ossetian and Russian defenders of Tskhinvali using artillery. Heavy fighting was underway on the city outskirts. Just before midnight a five-hour artillery onslaught on the city ended, but the fighting with the Georgian infantry on the south of Tshinvali continued. Civilians still remained in the basements with no food or water. The South Ossetian forces complained that Georgia has yet not provided a peace corridor to evacuate the civilians caught up in crossfire.

By August 10, the joint Russian and South Ossetian forces regained control over the city center as the Georgian forces withdrew as Russia had demanded. However, according to the Russians some Georgian snipers and mobile infantry groups still remained in Tskhinvali.

While there was no ground fighting in Gori, the launch point of the Georgian military, the city was attacked from the air and large areas associated with or nearby the Georgian military were heavily damaged.

Casualties

According to a Russian officials' estimate, around 1,500-2,000 civilians have died (the pre-war population being around 30,000). A South Ossetian official claimed that "foreign mercenaries" were found among the dead Georgian soldiers (that information has not been confirmed by Georgia). Several journalists were reported to be among the casualties, including the two who were embedded with the ambushed Russian armoured column in which general Khrulyov was wounded.

References

  1. Georgia pulls out of Tskhinvali, Al Jazeera, August 10, 2008
  2. ^ Journalists Suffered Combat Losses, Kommersant, Aug. 11, 2008
  3. ^ Template:Ru icon Трое суток в эпицентре войны, Moskovskiy Komsomolets, 10.08.2008
  4. ^ Template:Ru icon Посол России в Грузии заявил о двух тысячах погибших жителях Цхинвали, Lenta.Ru, 09.08.2008
  5. MIA: Java and Roki Tunnel are Next Targets, Civil.Ge, 9 Aug.'08
  6. Georgian MLRS launched rockets on Tskhinvali - BBC video
  7. Tskhinvali almost surrounded - Georgian official Itar-Tass. 8 August 2008.
  8. Bodies are lying everywhere. It’s hell, The Sunday Times, August 10, 2008
  9. Template:Ru icon Минобороны РФ заявило о расстреле российских миротворцев, Lenta.ru, 08.08.2008
  10. Lenta.Ru: Russian tanks entered Tskhinvali (in Russian)
  11. Russian tanks 'rolling into Georgian breakaway'
  12. Georgia Army Launches New Offensive on South Ossetia Capital Tskhinvali, Sofia News Agency, 9 August 2008
  13. Georgian troops pull out of South Ossetian capital
  14. Georgia 'calls Ossetia ceasefire', BBC News, 10 August 2008
  15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7550804.stm
  16. 2,000 civilians dead in Tskhinvali fighting-Ifax, Reuters, 09 Aug 2008
  17. Dead Mercenaries Found in Tskhinvali, Kommersant, Aug. 10, 2008

External links

Videos

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