1990    South Ossetia declares its independence from Georgia.

1991    South Ossetia declares independence from Georgia.

2006    The region of South Ossetia holds a referendum on independence from Georgia.

2008    Georgia launches a military offensive against South Ossetia to counter the alleged Russian invasion, starting the South Ossetia War.

2008    Russia unilaterally recognizes the independence of the former Georgian breakaway republics Abkhazia and South Ossetia.