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Georgian Army-Boot Camp to Battle Ground

Georgian Soldiers by the entrance to Gori inspecting the area with binoculars.

Georgian Soldiers by the entrance to Gori inspecting the area with binoculars.

In August 7th 2008 tensions over South Ossetia, which violently separated from Georgia in 1992, escalated in short but bloody 5-day war. The Ossetian side, supported by the Russian army pushed Georgia's army from South Ossetia and continued its advance deep into Georgia territory.

The small regional conflict quickly turned into a major stand-off between Russia and the West. Old language of the cold war re-appeared in international head-lines.

Georgian Army fully retreated from Conflict Area and Gori on August 12th. Russian started occupation of Gori and Senaki towns where two main Military Bases of Georgia were located. Russian Army took weapons, cars and most of equipment( including Army Uniforms) from Georgian Military Bases. Military Infrastructure and Communication system was targeted and mostly destroyed.

Russia has pledged to pull back from Georgia under a six-point agreement brokered by France that also called for the stand-down of Georgian forces.Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has criticized Washington's role in helping Georgia's military before the conflict with Russia and even suggested that the United States secretly provoked the conflict.

Donald Rumsfield in Tbilisi at the Press Conference with the Leaders of Rose Revolution, Nino Burjanadze, Mikheil Saakashvili and Zurab Zhvania. December 2003 Georgian Soldiers at the Training. 2004 Georgian soldier standing by J.Stalin Portrait hanging on the wall at the Office at Vaziani Military Base. Georgian Soldiers at their first day of training conducted by US soldiers. Georgian Soldier at the Old Soviet Base used by the Army since Georgia became independet country. US Marine conducting Martial Art and Camuflage Training for Georgian Soldiers. Georgian Army on the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Georgian Army and American Instructor on the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Georgian Army practicing maintaining peace at the check point during the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Georgian Army on the Training in Vaziani Base -preparing them to be deployed in Iraq as Peacekeeping forces. Farewell Party of Georgian Soldiers leaving for Iraq. Familly members say good by to Georgian Soldiers leaving for Iraq. Georgian Soldiers with their belongings are leaving for Iraq. Georgian Soldiers which just returned from the Front Line in South Ossetia resting at the Eredvi Village.. August 2004 Georgian Soldiers by the entrance to Gori inspecting the area with binoculars. Georgian soldier walking from the explosion site in the village Mereti. About 11.300 unidentified airplane dropped bombs on the outskirts of village Mereti destroying two cars. People were injured but It is unknown how many and if there were civilians among them. Wounded Georgian soldier is brought to the Army hospital in Gori. All wounded in the battle-both soldiers and civilians are brought here .Lists with their names hang outside the hospital. On the second day of war people gathered outside the hospital to watch constant arrival of new wounded soldiers. Georgian soldier whose battalion just return from the front line is greeting his family member.Other woman gather around him asking names of their relatives and any new the soldier can provide them with. All wounded in the battle-both soldiers and civilians are brought here .Lists with their names hang outside the hospital. Georgian priests and nuns are covering bodies of Georgian Soldiers in front of church in Gori.Bodies will be taken to Tbilisi. Georgian Priests with Patriarch Ilia II -head of Georgia Orthodox church were allowed for the first time into Gori to pick up bodies of Georgian Soldiers.Bodies were collected in the area of villages Nikozi and Shindishi.Soldiers were probably burned in the track-registration plate of the car is on the top of the bodies. Georgian Special Forces move out towards Gori from area where armored vehicle was destroyed in first days of conflict. Minutes before we took a hide after shooting was heard in the area. Paata (middle) and Soso talking to family outside of Republican Hospital. Both soldiers were seriously wounded during fights in Tskhinvali. They are from Eredvi-village in the South Ossetia and now they became refugees. Georgian Policeman talking to Ossetian soldier stationed on Igoeti check point-40 km from Tbilisi. Soldiers fighting on the Ossetian side were wearing all kinds of army Uniforms.They wore white clothe on the arm-to mark and recognize each other. Georgian Army truck on the way to Gori passing the sculpture of Georgian King-David the builder-famous for uniting Georgia. After first agreement that Russians will be retreating from Georgia -Georgian Army started slowly moving towrads Gori which they left in panic two days before ,on August 12th. Georgian soldier visiting his village Tortize.About 30 percent of village inhabitants returned to the village located on the edge of so called buffer zone.Before the war Georgians fully controlled that territory and villages around -now it is not clear when and how far they will be able to go back there. According to locals during initial fighting 40 bombs fell into the village causing death of 6 people and leaving 15 injured.