Outbreak of the First South Ossetia War

Date: January 5, 1991 • Location: Ts’khinvali, Georgia

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1991–1992.

Georgian troops attacked Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital, beginning the First South Ossetia War.

Tskhinvali or Tskhinval, occasionally called Stalinir during specific contexts, is the capital of the disputed de facto independent Republic of South Ossetia, internationally considered part of Shida Kartli, Georgia. Tskhinvali Region was also known historically as Samachablo by Georgians. It is located on the Great Liakhvi River approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) northwest of the Georgian capital Tbilisi.