‘Putin realized there wouldn’t be any consequences’ What Russia’s elites learned from the 2008 invasion of Georgia — Meduza
meduza.io
15 years ago, in August 2008, the Russian military entered into open conflict with Georgia. Moscow launched an offensive deep into the country before securing a favorable peace treaty and avoiding international isolation. Meduza’s special correspondent Andrey Pertsev spoke with officials who were part of Moscow’s “power vertical” at the time to learn how that invasion differed, in Russian elites’ view, from the invasion of Ukraine.

Exactly 15 years ago, in August 2008, the Russian military entered into open conflict with Georgia. Moscow launched an offensive deep into the country before securing a favorable peace treaty and avoiding international isolation.