GEORGIA: Russian Border In Georgia

While the world has been focused on the eurozone crisis in Greece, the nuclear talks in Vienna, and Russia's continued aggression in eastern Ukraine, things have been heating up in Georgia.

On July 16, Moscow-backed security forces moved the administrative boundary fence dividing the Russian occupied region of South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia - thereby placing more Georgian territory under Russian control.

These same security forces, armed with assault rifles, were also seen crossing into Georgian-controlled territory and tearing down a Georgian flag.

A history of conflict

After a brief war between the two countries in August 2008, Russia occupied the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. At one point, Russian forces bombed Tbilisi's civilian airport and advanced within miles of the capital city.

Up until 2008, Russia recognised both regions to be part of Georgia's territorial integrity. Most of the international community still does.

Soon after the war - and with Moscow's backing - Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia. Only Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Venezuela recognise their independence today.
People & Power - Georgia: Corridor of power

In reality, both regions have puppet governments which depend wholly on Moscow for their economic survival and are currently occupied by thousands of Russian troops.

The 2008 war ended after then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy brokered a five-point peace plan.

Almost seven years later, Russia is still in violation of this peace deal because it refuses to allow international observers into South Ossetia and Abkhazia, while Georgia gives these observers unfettered access. Russia has also refused to move its troops to pre-war locations, which Georgia has already done.

This most recent border creep is particularly alarming because Russia is in a position to directly threaten important transport links between Georgia and the outside world.

Russia's actions now place the administrative boundary fence within 500m of Georgia's E60 highway, which is the main road linking the Black Sea to Azerbaijan.

The new fence also places a 1.6km segment of the BP-operated Baku-Supsa pipeline inside Russian occupied territory.

Moscow has long sought to control the flow of oil and gas from the Caspian region to Europe and has never liked pipelines bypassing Russian territory.