Legends of 1980 said:
I might have misread something, but isn't/wasn't the region part of Georgia anyway?
this is where is gets messy.
historically the issue is under debate. The Russians claim the areas were traditionally Russian, they just fell under Georgian borders during the Soviet era.
My understanding (and I'm not fully up on this, just reading the papers) is that the areas have been legally still under Georgian sovereignty, but because the locals were arguing for independance, Russian peacekeepers have been stationed there to effectively have a state of detente (something both sides were reluctantly supporting). There has been niggly agro between the two since the last presidential election, but just before the Olympics the Georgians moved in opening fire on the disputed zones. The Russians then responded in kind, pretty much taking control of much of Georgia.
Personally I think the Russians have been stirring for the fight, but the Georgians were never in a position to win this one by force. They probably thought the US support they have would ensure their protection, but this never eventuated.