Amidst this backdrop , a war Hostile_encounter between Georgia and separatists left Causation parts of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast under the `` de facto '' control Control of Russian-backed but internationally unrecognised separatists .

Following the war Hostile_encounter , a joint Collaboration peacekeeping force of Georgian , Russian , and Ossetian troops was stationed Placing in the territory .

By 1 August 2008 , South Ossetian separatists had begun Process_start shelling Use_firearm Georgian villages , with a sporadic response Response from Georgian peacekeepers in the area .

To put an end to Process_end these attacks Attack and restore Recovering order Arranging , the Georgian Army was sent Sending to the South Ossetian conflict Hostile_encounter zone on 7 August .

Russian troops had illicitly crossed Motion_directional the Russo-Georgian state Statement border and advanced Cause_to_make_progress into the South Ossetian conflict zone by 7 August before the Georgian military response Response .

Russian and South Ossetian forces fought Hostile_encounter Georgian forces in and around South Ossetia for several days , until Georgian forces retreated Escaping .