ORDER OF BATTLE // August 8, 2008
Battle of Tskhinvali
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 20,000–21,000 estimated
Georgia
10,000–11,000
Medium-confidence figure
Russia
10,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Tskhinvali was the sole major ground engagement of the Russo-Georgian War and determined its military outcome. Georgian forces entered the South Ossetian capital on 8 August 2008 and, after three days of fighting against South Ossetian militia and Russian troops, withdrew on the evening of 10 August. By 11 August, all Georgian forces had left South Ossetia entirely, and Russian columns advanced into undisputed Georgian territory without resistance. The battle effectively ended Georgian military operations in South Ossetia and consolidated Russian and South Ossetian control over the breakaway region, making the subsequent ceasefire negotiations a matter of formalizing facts already established on the ground.
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