Peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia in 1992-2008

Introduction. The peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia was the first mission in the post-Soviet space. It had a number of special features that are of scientific and practical interest in the context of peacekeeping activities in the territory of the former USSR. However, in historiography, the topic remains poorly studied because researchers have not previously conducted a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the operation in South Ossetia. Materials and Methods. The article uses official documents and periodical press materials in the context of the peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia, which are analysed using historical-genetic, historical-comparative and historical-typological methods. Analysis. The legal basis for the peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia was laid down in the Dagomys Agreement of 24 July 1992. The immediate objectives of the peacekeepers included the implementation of military, humanitarian, political and law enforcement tasks. The organizational structure of the mission was represented by a series of general and specialized bodies. The activities of the peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia can be conditionally divided into two stages: at the first stage (1992–2001) the organizational structure of the mission was formed and most of the assigned tasks were effectively carried out; at the second stage (2002–2008), due to sabotage and aggressive actions by Georgia the crisis of the operation began. The mission in South Ossetia had a number of characteristic features, including multitasking, bias, open-endedness, hidden personal leadership, and a ramified organizational structure. Results. The operation in South Ossetia was characterized by average effectiveness in solving specific tasks, but its main goal of maintaining peace was not achieved due to aggressive actions of Georgia in the 2000s, as well as due to the very specifics of the mission with all its features, shortcomings and limitations.