Don't be mislead by the Russians, Medvedev, Putin is no different then Brezhnev and Kosygin. Yuri from Ukraine is correct. The Russians want back the old empire and they will invade all who opposes their will.

Tom, hayward,

To Teresa, Mill Hall, USA.
On their own, they will not leave - thay will fight for staying.. Abkhazia has been Black Sea paradise since ancient greeks (Golden fleece tale). Efficient agriculture plus superb summer resort territories. If in stable peace, it will soon become money mine.

Vladimir, Moscow,

Afghanistan was a legitimate target because its government aided and abetted those responsible for 9/11 and so in extension declared war on us. I'll agree, Iraq was needless and irrational, though Saddam and the UN were starving the people with the corrupt Food for Oil program.

Tim, Philadelphia, USA

It Georgia had miscalculated everything, they thought west would support them. As usual west only support anybody when they need or when their interests are hampered. Now whole world will be watching how and what west would do, it not just going and bombing a harmless Iraq to deal with Russia.

Sudarsana , Bangalore, India

How was Russia able to launch such a stellar attack and invasion onto georgian soil in such a short amount of time? The truth is that Russia had this planned for months, maybe even years. As for Georgia sending troops to quiet a rebellion? Justified. Any sovereign nation would do the same!

Adam, San Diego, United States

Georgia military killed 2000 thousands civilians.Try to speak mothers who lost babies,children who lost parents about integrity of Georgia,international low.All who cover Georgian military and goverment are responsible for war and killings too.News are not about killed babies but poor Ge. soldiers

Tom, Toronto,

Ed from Atlanta has hit it right on the money. You can keep Vermont and Maine though.... Russia has no right to invade Georgia.

Will, Vancouver, Canada

Ed of Atlanta Wrong analogy.Try again. Vermont and Maine residents are not predominantly Canadians holding Canadian passports.They have not been operating as defacto independent states since winning the war with Georgia in early 90s.They want to be part of USA, S.Ossetia wants no part of Georgia

sue, toronto, canada

What information was out there during the cold war about Russia? None or negative, to say the least, I quess history repeats itself. It is important (for some) that people think what is said above about Russia. I am not taking sides here, but think about it, who benefits from it all at the end?

Victoria, Los Angeles,

Now, hold on folks! Didn't all this start by Georgians sneaky surprise attack on South Ossetia which devastated their capital, killed thousands of Ossetians and sent 20-30,000 Ossetian refugees fleeing across the border to Russia?

D. Anderssen, Sturgeon Bay, WI, US

Ofcourse Georgia's president commited a war crime with support of Bush. Attacking and murdering civilian population while holding peace talks

Peter, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Why is Georgia attacking it's own province? That should raise red flags with Americans that this government of Georgia should not be part of NATO or supported for doing such actions. This is an outrage. What is wrong this government of ours for not condemning such actions in the first place?

Julie, Los Angeles, Ca., USA

Once Saakashvili supported Bush in Iraq, he is a friend forever. And Russia is wrong by default just in case West would need a reason to kick it. Open your eyes, people, you're being misled and manipulated. Saakshvili was doing the same as Miloshevich in Kosovo. But here is big bad Russia. Again.

Alexander, Maple Grove, MN, USA,

To Hegel Freidrich, Hamburg, Deutschland
Right you are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stan, Baku, Azerbajan

I really cannot believe what people from US are writing here. I mean, what the hell?! You invaded Iraq, Afghanestan, Cuba, Vietnam, planning to invade Iran and you think you have the right to even say a word on these matters?!
Be silent and stay put 'less you want those your crimes to be mentioned.

Hegel Freidrich, Hamburg, Deutschland

It was certainly a terrible miscalculation by Saakashvili, probably assured of being backed by the US , to launch a surprise massive attack on South Ossetia at the Russian bear's backyard on the eve of the Olympic games .

Hussein Elshibini , Alexandria, Egypt

If Russia was upset before about Georgia's consideration into NATO, they are virtually assuring the path to Georgia's induction. Russia's excessive aggression and brutal tactics were the exact recipe for NATO's very founding. Russia's only move is to pull out of Georgia now before it's too late.

Dave Nordling, Los Angeles, United States

First Georgia, then Urkaine, then Baltic countries - that is the sequence Russia's strikes will go

Yuri, Kyiv, Ukraine

Its like Maine and Vermont wanting to be Canadian and Canada sending in troops to protect them across US borders as "peace-keepers". When to US sends in the National Guard to bring them back under US authority, The Canadians attack the US troops. On second thought they can have Vermont and Maine.

Ed, Atlanta, US

If S. Ossetia and Abkhazia residents want to remain part of Russia, allow those citizen to move into Russia proper. I bet the Georgian gov't would even be willing to help pay for the relocation. Allow Georgia to keep what little land they have then both countries should leave each other alone!

Teresa, Mill Hall, USA

How could anyone really think that this georgia fault they re democatic state if russaia had issue with georgia present there evidence in interantion courts are NATO try to reach a compromise. But no russai want georgia back for their pipeline because it threated there monolopy over european gas.

John, Phonenix, United States of America

Who "allowed" Russian "peace-keepers" on Georgian soil in S Ossetia and Abkhazia? Did Georgia? Or did Russia muscle it's way across Georgia's borders in order to help these "Georgian" provinces revolt against their government? Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Russia has a history in such matters.

Ed, Atlanta, US

Russia wants is former cold war glory. Small nation states in the middle and Russia playing the role of "savior and protector" and in that way justifying a takeover. The west may have an unpopular op in mideast but, ironically its because the west didn't invade to subjigate (Russia has.)

Matt, Hendertucky, US

launch a surprise attack on Tskhinvali......."to restore constitutional order".

AND attacked the headquarters of Russian peacekeepers killing 10 and wounding ~ 40 persons.
Not mentioning about numerous civilian casualties of shelling, tanks and grenades. Tskhinvali is wiped out.

Peter Ross, Toronto, Canada

Chronology not the exact. A juggling of the facts. On russiatoday.ru ours the point of view and true chronology of events. Excuse for my English.

Nikolay, Astrakhan, Russia

Really it is necessary to keep integrity of Georgia at the expense of a life the Ossetin?

Nikolay, Astrakhan, Russia

To buck the trend from the West why are the Russians being painted as the bad guys? The Georgians started this with their offensive in South Ossetia. Plus how provocative is it to have every country on your border attempt to join a military organisation and leave you in the cold?

Antony Sheehan, Cardiff, Wales

NOT 1,400 civilians killed in South Ossetia fighting, BUT Georgian militarry forces murdered about 2000 civilians asleep before Russian troops to come

Leo, cheboksary,

August 7 Georgia and rebels begin Russian-brokered ceasefire talks. Hours later, Georgian troops launch a surprise attack on Tskhinvali, capital of South Ossetia, "to restore constitutional order". Hundreds of civilians are killed. Russia's attempts to denounce violence in the UN are rebuffed by US

Igor, Leatherhead,