Russia has halted its invasion of Georgia after five days of fighting, but the crisis has been brewing for months. Here is how events unfolded:

Four months before

Nato holds out the prospect of Georgia one day joining the military alliance, moving it firmly into the arms of the West. Russia is offended and various provocative incidents follow. Russia intensifies diplomatic links with Georgia's breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, where Russian peacekeepers are already stationed. A Russian fighter jet shoots down a Georgian spy drone over Abkhazia. Russia begins a troop build up in Abkhazia, claiming that Georgia is planning an attack. War of words escalates

One month before

Vladimir Putin's mastery checkmates the West

Michael Binyon says Russia has been biding its time - but its victory in Georgia has been brutal and brilliant

Multimedia

• Video: stories from the front line

• Pictures: Georgia conflict

BACKGROUND

• Hellraising for the rich: how Osborne met Rothschild

• Oleg Deripaska - oligarch at centre of storm

Related Links

• Russians shell Gori, hours before ceasefire

• The Russia-Georgia grudge match

• Putin capitalises on US ambivalence

Multimedia

• Pictures: Saakashvili dives for cover

Russian fighter jets enter South Ossetia's airspace, according to the Kremlin in order "to cool hot heads in Tbilisi". Georgia withdraws its ambassador from Moscow

August 4

South Ossetian rebels blame Georgia for deaths of six people in artillery shelling. Russia accuses Georgia of excessive force

August 7

Georgia and rebels begin Russian-brokered ceasefire talks under a truce. Hours later, however, Georgian troops launch a surprise attack on Tskhinvali, capital of South Ossetia, "to restore constitutional order". Russia is outraged, and later accuses Georgian troops of war crimes against civilians

August 8

Russia pours troops into South Ossetia, vowing to defend Russian "compatriots". Fighting takes place in Tskhinvali. Russian jets attack Georgian military bases. President Saakashvili of Georgia says that Russia and Georgia are now at war. 30 Georgian and 21 Russian troops reported killed. Thousands of South Ossetian civilians flee, other shelter in basements

August 9

Russia captures Tskhinvali. Russian fighter jets drop bombs in Georgian city of Gori, 15 miles from border with South Ossetia. 60 civilians reported killed. Russia claims that 1,400 civilians killed in South Ossetia fighting - Georgia estimates 130. America lends military transporter aircraft to fly many of Georgia's 2,000-strong troop contingent out of Iraq to join the fighting at home. US and EU peace envoys head for Georgia

August 10

Georgia calls a ceasefire, Russia says the fighting is continuing. Russian fighters bomb outskirts of Tbilisi. Russian warships deployed along Georgia's Black Sea coast. Rebels in Abkhazia say they are mobilising to attack Georgia. The US criticises Russia's "disproportionate" response. Most of Gori's 50,000 inhabitants flee in fear of a Russian invasion

August 11

Moscow accuses Georgia of continuing to shell Tskhinvali despite its supposed ceasefire. Russian troops invade Georgia from Abkhazia, and issue an ultimatum to Georgian troops in area to disarm. EU negotiators visit Gori and Tbilisi, where President Saakashvili signs a draft ceasefire. Georgian troops retreat to Gori, then abandon the city for Tbilisi. Saakashvili accuses Russia of trying to overthrow him and seize control of strategic oil pipelines. He sues for peace. Russia accuses him of genocide, he accuses them of ethnic cleansing. UN warns of a growing refugee crisis

August 12

Shelling kills five in Gori, including a Dutch television cameraman. Russia orders a halt to its invasion. Nicolas Sarkozy holds talks with Russian leaders in Moscow to broker EU-backed ceasefire negotiation. First humanitarian aid flight lands in Georgia.

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