Russian Occupation Policy and Georgian-Ossetian Relations in Shida Kartli

Abstract

The article analyzes field ethnographic data and materials published in the special literature on villages in Shida Kartli adjacent to the conflict zone. It discusses how people react to specific actions of the Russian hybrid policy, how representatives of conflicting groups (Ossetians, Georgians) change their opinions about each other and what factors play a role in this regard.

Prior to the Russian-Georgian war of 2008, Ossetians living mostly in the mountains and Georgians living in lowlands in Tskhinvali region had intensive economic, social and cultural relations. Marriage, baptism and friendship between them were frequent. At the same time, each group retained a certain economic specificity and was engaged in mutually beneficial trade; they exchanged their products with each other. The main vector of cultural, economic and trade orientation of the villages of Ksani Gorge was Akhalgori-Tbilisi, and for the villages of Didi and Patara Liakhvi - Tskhinvali-Gori-Tbilisi. This system has been around for centuries.

When the Russians occupied Tskhinvali region, part of the population left their homes and moved to specially built settlements on Georgian-controlled territory. Ossetian population, especially the youth, also left their villages. They mainly moved to North Ossetia and other regions of Russia. The villages were almost completely devastated, the economic ties established over the centuries, were broken, the traditional farming collapsed and the source of income for many families changed. 

The former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, Tskhinvali region, is now completely isolated from Georgia. The Russian military uses artificial barriers, wire networks to separate the quasi-state recognized by the Kremlin from the rest of Georgia; these fences run directly over land owned by the population, villages, cemeteries and shrines, making it impossible to use.This complicates agricultural activities, the implementation of traditional customs and religious rituals, hinders kinship relations, access to medical care and education, etc. All this further exacerbates the already difficult situation for Georgians and Ossetians living on both sides of the dividing line.

Field materials reveal that irregular Ossetian groups planned to infiltrate Georgian villages during the war, while the Russian army acted as a peacemaker. In the subsequent period, the Russian side has tried to present Ossetia and the Georgians as key participants in the confrontation, thus breaking all socio-cultural and economic ties between them, which will ultimately complicate their reconciliation. This ensures that Russian forces in the region remain allies of the Ossetian side, as they create fertile ground for intergroup confrontation and alienation.