“It is hard to imagine with what hope and faith they were waiting for the Russian army in Tskhinvali. It was a matter of life and death. The people saw the tanks with the Russian flags and knew that salvation had come,” - about this the so-called president of occupied Tskhinvali Alan Gagloev said.

"The example of the heroes of the 2008 war encourages the Ossetian fighters to do heroic deeds and only move forward, and calls them to fight for Russia as their motherland. South Ossetia is proud of the bravery of the heroic defenders of our homeland! We believe in them and expect their victory!" - Gagloev said.

To be reminded, 16 years have passed since the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. After the August war, Russia recognized the independence of two regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but the international community remains a supporter of Georgia's territorial integrity.