The August 2008 War: A Timeline

On August 7, 2008, Georgia invaded South Ossetia, destroyed 70 percent of the capital Tskhinval, and briefly occupied a large portion of the country. In response to this aggression, Russian troops crossed into South Ossetia and expelled the Georgians after five days of intense fighting.

Days preceding August 7, 2008:

Georgian forces and South Ossetian troops exchange intermittent sniper fire and machine-gun fire. Georgian forces occupy hills along the border. By the morning of August 7 Georgia has 12,000 troops positioned to invade.

August 7

7:10 P.M.: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili makes a televised announcement to South Ossetia, announcing a unilateral ceasefire and promising that Georgian forces will not fire on South Ossetia. "I love Ossetians as a President and as a ordinary citizen of this country," Saakashvili says. "We do not have the will to respond to violence with yet more violence."

11:45 P.M.: Less than four hours after Saakashvili's announcement, Georgian artillery begins to shell the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinval.

August 8

1:05 A.M.: Mamuka Kurashvili, chief of Georgian peacekeeping operations, announces that Georgian troops are engaged in an operation to "restore constitutional order throughout the region."

2:45 A.M.: Georgian forces occupy three villages in South Ossetia.

4:45 A.M.: Georgian forces surround Tskhinval and prevent civilians from attempting to flee. Throughout the next two days, 21 South Ossetian civilians are killed trying to flee along the Zar road.

9:01 A.M.: South Ossetia's government asks Russia for protection.

11:30 A.M.: Saakashvili mobilizes Georgian reserve troops against "a large-scale military aggression" by Russia.

2:30 P.M.: Georgia reports that it controls Tskhinval.

6:44 P.M.: Russian troops reach Tskhinval.

8:30 P.M.: Georgia troops begin retreating from Tskhinval.

August 9

2:30 P.M.: Georgia declares war on Russia, imposes martial law within Georgia and begins a general mobilization.

3:05 P.M.: Saakashvili calls for an immediate ceasefire.

August 10

5:30 P.M.: Russian Foreign Ministry announces terms for a cease fire: Georgia must withdraw its military to positions prior to conflict and pledge not to use force.

Throughout the day: Russian troops push Georgian forces out of most of South Ossetia.

August 11

Intense international diplomacy in an effort to resolve the crisis.

Russian troops rout Georgian forces and are poised to move into Georgia proper.

August 12

Tskhinval's mayor says 70 percent of the city's buildings were destroyed in the Georgian attack.

Saakashvili accepts Russian ceasefire terms signed in Moscow.

August 14

Leaders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia sign a peace agreement in Moscow as part of the cease fire. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev pledges to support Abkhazia and South Ossetia's decision to seek independence from Georgia.

August 16

2:57 P.M.: Medvedev officially signs a French-brokered peace plan.

August 26

Russia officially recognizes independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.