MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On the night of August 7, 2008, Georgian army attacked Tskhinval, the capital of the South Ossetia region, using heavy artillery, tanks and aircraft. In only a few hours, thousands of people were killed and injured.
Russian peacekeepers, which were called upon to ensure peace, in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations, also lost their lives in the attacks
Medvedev deemed Russian peacekeepers` murders "a flagrant violation of international law" and "the most serious crime."
Georgia’s offensive against the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008 led to the five-day war with Russia.
"Russia responded harshly, but adequate. Within the framework of norms and principles of national and international law. The main goal of Russia`s actions was to prevent loss of life and humanitarian catastrophe," Medvedev noted.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia are still considered by the government in Tbilisi to be occupied territories.
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