A Russian opposition activist gives a speech during a rally marking the second anniversary of Georgia's violent conflict with Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, on August 8, 2010.
Five years ago Thursday, Russian tanks crossed the Roki Tunnel from the Russian republic of North Ossetia into South Ossetia in Georgian territory. In the course of the full-scale war that lasted the next five days, Russia destroyed much of Georgia's military and dismantled its vital supply lines and transport infrastructure. Moscow also established a military presence in the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and recognized the territories as independent states. The Russian army did not venture farther into Georgia proper but stopped within striking distance — a little more than 45 kilometers (about 30 miles) away — of Tbilisi, the Georgian capital. Today, the Russian military remains in the breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia .
