On the initial stage of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines the background, causes and initial stage of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, tied to the aggressive and nationalistic policy of the authorities of the Georgian Democratic Republic during the period of independence - 1918-1921.Materials and Methods. The analysis was carried out on f Russian, Georgian and Ossetian sources of various formats, including those of administrative nature and personal origin. First of all, it is necessary to highlight the memoirs and speeches of major political and military figures of the era in question N. Zhordania, V. Dzhugeli, G. Kvinitadze, F. Makharadze. By applying historicalcomparative and retrospective methods of scientific research, it was possible to construct a complete picture of what happened during the period under review.Analysis. The Georgian dictatorship quickly led to an increase in anti-Georgian sentiment among the residents of South Ossetia and subsequent protests against Georgian authorities. While the latter classified the Ossetians as traitors and organized a punitive expedition of unprecedented cruelty and scope in 1920. The article tracks in detail the progress of the operation, the battles with the Ossetian rebels, and lists the repressive actions of the Georgian armed forces on the territory of South Ossetia, in particular, the People's Guard units led by the notorious leader Valiko Dzhugeli, who did not even interfere with the demonstrative killings of local Ossetians. Therefore, this expedition can be clearly assessed as ethnic cleansing, during which almost the entire population of South Ossetia was forced to flee through the mountains to the territory of North Ossetia.Results. It was the tragic events of 1920 that became the basic stage in the periodization of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, echoes of which we can see in the 21st century.

Keywords

• georgia
• russia
• south ossetia
• noy jordania
• sergo ordzhonikidze
• valiko dzhugeli
• people's guard