Why does Russia Want South Ossetia back and/or Georgia?

Question

I mean Russia already has the biggest empire in the world, why would they want this little piece of area back? Are they eventualy going to want all of The former soviet union countires back ??

Answer 1

of course they want all their former territory back, any reading of Russian history will tell you that

Answer 2

They want a buffer of friendly secure nations around them.  

But I suspect that given the choice between having them back and having them aligned with the US/NATO, they would prefer to have them back.  

They don't really want to occupy Georgia (which would be another Chechnya for them), but they do want to be sure they get their licks in and that Georgia is not in a position to come right back at them .  

But they are also posturing.  Mevyedev is doing exactly what the US did over Russian protests in Serbia and Iraq.  He is demonstrating that they are not afraid of world opinion when it comes to their security and no one can make them leave Georgia.  They will do so when they are good and ready.  

The US and NATO is becoming increasingly hegemonic towards Russia, now that they are again in a position to assert themselves.  I suspect that in a few months, Russia will pull a "Kosovo" and officially recognize  Southern Osetia and Abkhazia's independence from Georgia.

Answer 3

Russian military is in the region only for one REASON which is GEORGIA Killed over 2000 of Osetian PEACEFUL residents where around 90% of the residents have Russian citizenship, and Russia doesnt want Osetia or Georgia back, they want Georgia to let Osetia decide whats best for themselves and thats all. Adolf (Hitler) Saakashvili wanted to do it in the easy way ( like big brother US does it at all the times ) just invade the god damned region and thats all, kill some people to scare others and if someone asks tell them its Terorists, or RUSSIA started it first, i mean, give me a break, this is so inmature, no wonder russian president called Mr. Saakashvili a Duschebag on the press conference with french president Sarkozy  

Answer 4

When Georgia broke away from the Soviets, S. Ossetia didn't want to be part of Georgia since 1992 and 80 % opted for Russian citizenship. On 7th Aug. 2008, Pres. Saaskashvilli suddenly shelled and invaded S. Ossetia killing about 1500 to 2000 russian civilians. Russia retaliated and sent troops in to repel the invaders until a ceasefire was called. Its blatantly obvious to all as to who the aggressors are.

Answer 5

Russia doesn't want any of that, if they wanted it so badly-they have the power to take it and dont need bloody permissions, why ur people cant see further ur nose ah? THEY PROTECTED THE CIVILIANS OF SOUTH OSSETIA, ...and as its came out Bush and NATO were playing a ball with Russia.  

Answer 6

No, Russia don't want S.Ossetia back. But Russia want S.Ossetia to be independent, because of the genocide.

99% of people in S. Ossetia voted for the independence.

n**i goverment of Georgia have no respect for minor nations and they tried to make genocide in S.Ossetia (there was a first try in 1991-1992, Georgia failed and agreed to peace with Russia as the mediator and peacekeeper).

Now US supplied sponsored and trained georgian army and it decided to try genocide again.

As the peacekeeping force according to UN, Russia must protect civilians from genocide.

Answer 7

Mainly because Russians still remember that Russian empire(called USSR) was twice as big and in ex-kgb Putin's mind that was the right way of things to be. Thus, it(Russia) has to be restored in it's old borders and preferably expanded too.

To Sam - There is no proof whatsoever that Georgian army killed 2000 civilians. HRW reported 44 dead including both, military and civilians. That's not just from initial Georgian bombardment, but after 3 days of Russian aerial bombardments of the same city using 200 airplanes.

Oh, and now Russians admit that Tskhinvali is only 10% damaged, not 70% as initially claimed.

It was all Russian propaganda BS to justify invasion in Georgia. That's all to it.

Russia never was a stabilizing factor in Caucasus since 90s. All local wars are inspired by them. Why else they bring Checnehs to fight in Abkhazia, Ossetins to fight in Ingushetia and so on? Simply to keep national hatred going and keep their influence.

As for the comrade GARISH's claim of S.O. separatists wanting independence, that was a joke, right GARISH?

Seriously, can you please explain if S.O. wants "independence" why they first get Russian passports, and the ask Russia to let them into Russian federation?

In my book that's not called independence, that's called "we wanna join mother Russia".

As for your statement of attempted and failed genocide by Georgians, nobody ever proved that Georgians either attempted or committed genocide of Ossetins either in 1992 or 2008.

Single photo, documentary, any proof please?

However, apparently both, Russians and Ossetins succeeded in genocide:

1) Genocide of Ingushs in 1992 by North and South Ossetins with the help of Russians.

2) Genocide of Georgians, Greeks and Armenians in Abkhazia by Abkhazs, Chechens and of course Russian army.

3) Continued Genocide of Chechen people by Russian army in  last two Chechen wars.

So, please check your facts once in a while.

Answer 8

The same reason England didnt want to give Ireland Independence,they'd look weak,and theres probably a shitload of oil there too!

Answer 9

(sorry, my english is bad)

Soviet union back - impossible and russian authorities understand it. Georgia back - impossible.

What for russian needs Ossetia? I don't know. There are only mountains(beautiful mountaions). BUT if russian troops retreated after georgian bombing attack of ossetian town ossetians will never forgived this to russia and not only ossetians. there are many peoples in caucasus which are friendly to ossetia. if russia dont help ossetia this peoples will no longer respect russia and they can begin help enemies of russia. (peoples of caucasus are very freedom-loving and militant and it was always difficult for russia to keep them under control. chechens are just one nation, there are dozens of such nations in caucasus. there is always wars in caucasus. russia stabilizes this wars)

Answer 10

It's not so much territorial gain, as much as imposing fear in their neighbors and enemies. Georgia has long been a rather outspoken critic of Russia.

Though given their leadership (ex-head of the KGB), I wouldn't be surprised if they did want to return to the USSR days.