The Russian checkpoint on the road into Gori from Tbilisi, the country's only major east-west link, is a flashpoint between Russian and Georgian troops [AFP]

2008

April 22: Georgia claims that a Russian warplane shot down an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that crashed over the breakaway region of Abkhazia.

April 26: Russia is ready to use "military means" to protect its residents if war breaks out in the Georgian separatist provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, a foreign ministry official says.

May 1: Additional Russian troops deployed in the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia. Nato says Moscow is stoking tensions in Georgia's separatist regions.

May 7: The Georgian breakaway region of Abkhazia says it shot down two unmanned Georgian spy aeroplanes, two weeks after a similar incident.

May 18: Georgia accuses Russia of spying and political interference in Abkhazia.

May 25: Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia's president, wins election. Opposition threatens protests and parliamentary boycott as results emerge.

May 27: Georgia demands Russia pay compensation for an unmanned reconnaissance spy plane that a UN report says was shot down by a Russian fighter plane in April.

June 6: Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, tells West that Russia and Georgia "can sort out our relations by ourselves".

June 18: Moscow condemns "acts of provocation" after Georgia detains four peacekeepers in Abkhazia.

July 2: Heightened tension between Georgia and Russia, with several explosions in Abkhazia. US warns Russia against stoking tensions in breakaway regions.

July 5: Russia's defence ministry warns that a "new war" could break out in Abkhazia if Tbilisi uses force to attempt to resolve the conflict.

July 6: Georgian police officer hurt in Abkhazia as Russian peacekeepers blame Tbilisi's agents.

July 9: Three Georgian police officers and two soldiers from the separatist government of Abkhazia are shot in clashes.

July 10: Georgia recalls its ambassador to Russia amid growing tensions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

July 15: The US and Russia hold military exercises on either side of the Caucasus mountains.

August 1: Heavy fighting breaks out in South Ossetia, killing six people and injuring seven.

August 3: Hundreds of women and children are evacuated across the border to Russia.

August 5: Officials from Georgia and South Ossetia agree to speak for the first time in a decade.

August 6: Leader of South Ossetia rejects meeting with Georgia due to format of talks.

August 8: Georgian tanks launch an attack on Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, killing at least 15 people.

August 9: Tbilisi says Russian aircraft hit targets across Georgia, as the battle in the breakaway region continues.

August 10: Tbilisi says it wants immediate negotiations on a "termination of hostilities".

August 11: Georgian officials say eastern city of Gori is captured by advancing Russians.

August 12: Tbilisi says Russian troops take the town of Gori, 60km from Tbilisi, as others enter from Abkhazia. Medvedev announces ceasefire.

August 13: Pockets of fighting still reported but both sides sign up to EU-backed peace plan.

August 14: Russia continues operations in Georgia.

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