In 1991, after the Fall of the Soviet Union, as we witness Georgian independence, secessionist conflicts emerge almost immediately in Abkhazia (1992-1993).
Indeed, separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia began to flourish and were heavily supported by Russia, specifically by federal subjects near the Caucasus region. This was due to the fact that some people groups from neighbouring Russian provinces were more similar ethnically with these minorities in Georgia. Tensions quickly escalate over the years.
This leads to 2008; after years of tensions and feeling of disconnection between ethnic Georgians and minorities such as Abkhazian and Ossetian people, Russia accuses Georgia of “Aggression against Ossetians”, and proceeds to launch a full-scale land, air and sea invasion of Georgia, referring to it as a “peace enforcement”.
In August of 2008, Russia unilaterally recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as Independent and declare them as autonomous republics, however, this is still to this day not recognized by most member states of the United Nations. This crisis has had, to this day, a huge Humanitarian Impact, with tens of thousands of people displaced.
Accordingly, since the 2008 war, there have been no diplomatic relations between Moscow and Tbilisi, no flights between the two countries, and a hard border at the Caucasus Mountains. Despite not being recognized as legitimate entities by most, the Georgian government has had no control over the two self-proclaimed republics since that time, with both of these entities being heavily supported (and to some extent controlled) by Russia.
Overall, South Ossetia and Abkhazia are only recognized as of 2022 by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria.
Over the years, the country of Georgia has experienced big migration waves across its territory due to the War, mainly from the autonomous republics to Tbilisi and other parts of Georgia proper, where ethnic Georgians do not feel threatened; especially following the attempt of ethnic Georgian cleansing in Abkhazia. and Sout Ossetia.
What is interesting to point out after this whole situation is that Russia, although heavily criticized by governments and media across the world at the time, got out of this situation almost intact, with barely any substantial sanctions or long-lasting ones.