As Wang Ye, Shoigu, and the others busied themselves preparing for a sleepless night, South Ossetia was already ablaze with artillery fire!
With superior numbers striking a smaller force and a planned attack catching them unprepared, the Georgian troops advanced smoothly. Their offensive had begun before dawn, and by the time the sky had yet to brighten, they had already taken nearly half of South Ossetia, their spearhead pointing directly at Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia.
Tskhinvali was already in complete chaos. They had received prior notice that Georgian forces were massing and might launch an attack on South Ossetia, so they had made some preparations.
But the disparity in strength was simply too great. Back when Georgia only caused minor trouble and sent small units to attack, South Ossetia's local armed forces could still put up some resistance.
This time was different. Georgia had practically deployed everything it had, sending all its troops over. Every armored vehicle, aircraft, and tank that could still move had been brought in. South Ossetia simply could not withstand that, and its forces collapsed again and again.
The regional leaders of South Ossetia were like ants on a hot pan, pacing in frantic circles. They had pinned all their hopes on Russia. If Russia refused to intervene, they would be in serious trouble...
"How is it? Has Moscow replied? What did they say?"
Inside the government building in Tskhinvali, the lights blazed through the night. Several senior officials had gathered in the large conference room, anxiously awaiting word from Moscow.
"Not yet. This happened too suddenly, and the Kremlin is attending the Olympic opening ceremony. They need to gather the senior leadership for an emergency discussion, so it won't be that fast. But I think we'll hear something soon. Moscow can't possibly stand