Was the action unilateral on the part of Russia, or was fighting already going on?

Question

The reports aren't clear as to how this started - ie, who fired the "first shot." Were Georgian operations in South Ossetia ongoing? Was there an action that began today that brought Russian forces in? Did Russian forces come in of their own accord.

It seems very chaotic - naturally, it is a war, even if not official - with Russian forces attacked Georgian forces who may or may not have attacked Russian forces first or been fighting with South Ossetian separatists.

Anyone have a link to a "first" story?

Answer 1

I have heard that Georgia first started to attack, hoping to use the Olympic games as cover.  Russia caught wind of it and moved in with greater speed and ferocity.  The Georgian president admitted on CNN what he was planning.

Answer 2

The first reports I heard last night spoke of Georgian forces moving into S. Ossetia.  They didn't mention Russian involvement at the time, but that doesn't mean that the Russians didn't trigger the Georgian attack by moving forces across the border from N. Ossetia into the South.