Another point, Jack.

I don’t think anyone wants to see Russians killed. Especially not by Putin.

Military is another thing. If you invade a sovereign country, you may get killed.

You seem to be rather partial to the Russian side of the story.

But the fact is that both the “breakaway” regions are a hub of illegal activities and rackets, including stolen property (cars) drug and human trafficking. Fiefdoms for FSB echelons to have some fun and make a bunch of rubles.

For the last year or so, Georgian proper was under a constant stream of ambushes from S Ossetia. Mostly Ossetian elements, rather than Russians, but the “peacekeepers” seemed to enjoy wearing shades with to dark a hue to see anything.

Are you saying that Georgians are obliged to take it without a flinch?

See, there are always two or more sides to a story.