SECESSIONISMO ARMATO NELLO SPAZIO POST-SOVIETICO. IL CASO DELL’OSSEZIA DEL SUD

Abstract

Armed secessionism in the post-soviet space. The case of South Ossetia. – During the 1990s, several new independent States arose from the collapse of the Soviet Union were involved in ethnic conflicts that led to the secession of parts of their territory and to the self-proclamation of de facto republics supported militarily and diplomatically by Russia but lacking international recognition. The explosion and the lack of resolution of these conflicts can be linked to the Russian aim to exert a hegemonic influence on the former Soviet republics that pursue a pro-Western stance. This is the case of the “five days” war of August 2008, which saw Georgia and Russia fighting for the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, territory formally belonging to Georgia but outside its control. Here we want to retrace origins and repercussions of this conflict, also in light of the Georgian position regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.