What benefit does Russia have in supporting separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

Question

What benefit does Russia have in supporting separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

Answer 1

By aligning themselves with more powerful Russia, the separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia will be easily reintegrated into Russia. Russia has been rather upset with all the democracies popping up in their backyard, what they call the "Near Abroad." The seek to recreate the old USSR. Georgia is so close that it was too tempting for Russia not to exert force and shut down Georgia's attempts to reclaim Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Bottom line it's about resources. That is what energy-hungry Russia would gain.

Answer 2

Oil

Answer 3

Russia's supporting its own citizens. There also has been a long conflict between Georgian and smaller nations on their territory (sometimes Georgians just tried to destroy them), so I guess it's just Ossetians and Abkhazians seeking protection, and since there are a lot of Russian citizens there, Russia should not deny them.