Voices from Russia: A Debate

Below is an article which transcribes comments from Russian users of a news forum called Rosblat.  http://www.rosbalt.ru/2008/08/09/511755.html  Russian text, (an attempt at an) English translation, a few of my comments.  What isn't there: any explanation of why Russia should care about South Ossetia in the first place.

Ситуация в Южной Осетии стала центральной темой обсуждения не только для политологов и экономистов, но и для обитателей форума «Росбалта». И их оценка и варианты развития событий могут быть взяты на вооружение профессиональными политиками.

The situation in South Ossetia has become the central theme of discussions not only for students of politics and economists, but also for contributors to the form "Rosblat."  And their evaluations and scenarios for the development of events can be taken as ammunition (??) for professional politicians.

(The next paragraph seems to be by whoever was compiling the article, not from any of the commenters in the forum:)

Военные действия в Южной Осетии — это, по сути, война США против России, а Грузия — тупой инструмент. И то, что события развернулись непосредственно накануне Олимпиады в Пекине, — тоже не случайность. США не любят Китай не меньше, чем Россию, и, видимо, решили «убить одним выстрелом двух зайцев». Россию война в Южной Осетии затрагивает непосредственно. Кроме того, резкое обострение на Кавказе может сорвать Олимпиаду-2014 в Сочи, а это — деньги и имидж. Для Китая уже начавшаяся Олимпиада-2008 — не только и не столько спортивное, сколько политическое событие. Китайцы видят в ней шанс показать себя в новом качестве — как безопасное, технологически развитое, хорошо организованное государство. А на фоне общей «увлеченности» осетинской войной использовать этот шанс в полной мере вряд ли удастся.

Acts of war in South Ossetia are, in fact, a war of the USA against Russia, and Georgia is a stupid tool. And the fact that events unfolded immediately before the Olympics in Beijing is also not an accident. The USA dislikes China no less than Russia, and, obviously, decided to "kill two rabbits with one shot."  The war in South Ossetia affects Russia directly.  Also, a severe aggravation in the Caucasus could interfere with the 2014 Olympics in Sochi (a town in the Russian Caucasus region, on the Black Sea) and that affects money and image. For China the 2008 Olympics that have just started are not so much a sporting event as a political event. The Chinese see in them a chance to show themselves in a new role -- as a safe, technologically advanced, well-organized state.  With everyone distracted by the Ossetian war they'll hardly be able to use this chance fully.  (COMMENT: Aren't conspiracy theories fun? No wonder people enjoy coming up with them. No need for evidence; of course the plotters cover their tracks!)

Вот только больше всего от подковерных геополитических игр американцев пострадает маленькая Южная Осетия, которая не является сколько-нибудь значимым игроком на международной политической арене. Правда, некоторые наблюдатели полагают, что на самом деле масштабы реальной войны преувеличены, а вот размах войны информационной явно недооценивается. Кое-кто и вовсе склонен полагать, что никаких масштабных военных действий нет, зато пропагандистская машина работает в полную силу.

More than anyone else it is South Ossetia, which is not at all a significant players on the international stage, that suffers from the under-cover geopolitical games of the Americans. True, some observers think that actually the scale of the war is exaggerated, and it's obviously not being understated in the information war. Some are inclined to think that no significant military actions are taking place, but then the propaganda machine is working at full strength.  (COMMENT: I didn't quite understand what "propaganda machine" is being referred to.)

Как бы то ни было, и Россия, и Грузия признали, что находятся в состоянии войны. А значит, обеим сторонам нужны тактика и стратегия военных действий. Давать полезные советы Грузии форумчане не склонны. Зато предложений российскому руководству — хоть отбавляй.

However that may be, both Russia and Georgia have acknowledged that they are in a state of war.  And that means that both sides need military tactics and strategy.  The forum participants were not inclined to give useful advice to Georgia.  But they have more than enough suggestions for the Russian government.

Пожалуй, одно из самых радикальных, и при этом весьма распространенных, мнений озвучено юзером Vran: «Грузия должна быть навсегда вычеркнута из российской истории. Иначе она отравит своим трупным ядом еще не одно ее десятилетие».

One of the most radical, and also most widespread, opinions was voiced by user Vran: "Georgia must be expunged from Russian history forever. Otherwise it will poison with its corpse stench another decade."  (COMMENT: Bad translation; I didn't quite get it.  I'm not sure whether this is a call for genocide.  Logically, "expunge Georgia from Russian history" would be best achieved by withdrawing, no?  Sadly, that doesn't seem to be what Vran means.)

Предлагают и более простые пути. «Теперь задача — как можно быстрее погнать грузин из Южной Осетии, а потом и показать, что они успели натворить... И тогда никакое «мировое сообщество» пикнуть не посмеет», — считает форумист под ником Юля.

They suggest an even simpler course.  "Now the task is to drive the Georgians out of South Ossetia as quickly as possible, and then show, what they managed to do... And then no "international community" will dare to make a sound' -- argues forum member with the nickname Iulia.  (COMMENT:  If I understand her, Iulia thinks the Georgians are guilty of atrocities that will discredit them if they are exposed. But Russia would probably kill a lot of people driving the Georgians out, and what about Georgian sovereignty?)

«Для президента РФ Дмитрия Медведева очень важна безопасность проведения Сочинской олимпиады, — подмечает юзер Олесь Квиттень. — И это правильно, но пока Грузия имеет возможность развязывать военные действия в регионе, о такой безопасности можно забыть. Поэтому важно нанести удар по грузинской армии один раз, но эффективно. Для этого надо дождаться максимальной концентрации войск Грузии у Цхинвали».

"For the president of the RF [Russian Federation] Dmitry Medvedev the safety to conduct the Sochi Olympics is very important," remarks user Oles Kvitten.  "And that's correct, but now that Georgia has a chance to unleash war in the region, you can forget about security."  Therefore it's important to deliver a blow against the Georgian army once, but effectively.  For this you need to wait for the maximum concentration of soldiers in Georgia at Tskhinvali."  (COMMENT: If it's a matter of protecting the Olympics, why not a negotiated solution?  What's the goal of the destruction of the Georgian army?  Independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia?)

Идеи жесткого решения грузинской проблемы вообще весьма популярны у читателей «Росбалта». Как правило, они встречают большую поддержку форумчан. »План должен быть такой, — предлагает юзер Nu-pogodi. — Два фронта — Осетия и Абхазия. Одновременно. Россия — поддержка с воздуха и снабжение оружием (неофициально). Из России — добровольцы. Грузию оккупировать осетинам и абхазам. Саакашвили — повесить».

Ideas of a tough resolution of the Georgian problem was generally very popular with the reaaders of "Rosblat."  As a rule, they met great support from forum participants.  "The plan must be this:" suggests user Nu-pogodi.  "Two fronts: Ossetia and Abkhazia.  At the same time.  Russia -- air support and supply of arms (unofficial).  From Russia -- volunteers.  Occupying Georgia is for the Ossetians and Abkhazians.  Hang Saakashvili."  (COMMENT: What is the deal with this Russian compulsion to be Machiavellian?  Does he really think they could get away with this?  If the end is going to be as drastic as "hang Saakashvili," is it really worthwhile to keep the supply of arms to Ossetia and Abkhazia "unofficial?"  And note how easily, almost without a thought, he moves the goalposts to a conquest of Georgia.  Russia has always seen borders as fluid and changeable.  It's got to stop.)

А юзер Нейтральный осторожно затрагивает идею возмездия: «Речь нужно вести не об остановке боевых действий, а об уничтожении участвующих в агрессии воинских формирований и уничтожении организаторов и разработчиков агрессии. Остановить конфликт... Этого совершенно недостаточно. Грузия должна быть примерно наказана за эту выходку».

And user Neitralnyi ('Neutral") cautiously touches the idea of retribution: "We need to talk, not about stopping war acts, but about the eradication of those warrior formations participating in aggression and the eradication of the organizers and planners of aggression. To stop the conflict... This is wholly inadequate. Georgia must be given exemplary punishment for this escapade."  (COMMENT: Shudder.  Note the assumption-- there is no need to argue for it in this crowd, it seems-- that Georgia really is the aggressor, even though Russian troops are operating in Georgia and not vice versa.  Note, too, the weird characterization of this as "cautious" by the compiler of the article-- the same one who starts with the conspiracy theory about America being behind the war.  Perhaps "bloodthirsty" would be an apter description of Neutral's remarks.)

Несколько более политкорректный и дипломатически выдержанный вариант предлагает читатель Drakon: «Сейчас дело за Госдумой и СФ. Самый удобный момент — признать независимость Абхазии и ЮО под предлогом геноцида этих народов со стороны Грузии, заключить с ними договор о дружбе и сотрудничестве, и уже абсолютно на законных основаниях основать там полноценные российские военные базы».

Reader Drakon offers a somewhat more politically correct and diplomatically restrained suggestion: "Now it's a matter for the Duma and the SF (???).  It's the most convenient moment to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the pretext of genocide of these nations by Georgia, and make a deal with them of friendship and cooperation, and already on absolutely legal grounds establish full-fledged Russian military bases there."  (COMMENT: That South Ossetia and Abkhazia deserve independence is plausible. But Russian recognition of it would hardly decide the issue. That it is taken for granted that the new states would accept all the deals and Russian military bases suggests their  "independence" would be phony. What if Georgia fights? Why shouldn't outside powers support it? If the West decided to recognize the independence of Chechnya, sign cooperation deals, and establish military bases, would Russia take it lying down? What's the difference?)

Умеренную позицию поддерживает и юзер Grossmutter: «До последнего надо пытаться решить ситуацию мирным путем... Иначе мы, которые пытаемся вернуть мир к международным законам, — больше никогда и вякнуть не посмеем!.. Мне кажется, что единственный выход сейчас — немедленно признать Южную Осетию и Абхазию независимыми государствами и начать оказывать военную помощь! Сейчас надо, чтобы действия Грузии были признаны незаконными!»

User Grossmutter also supports a moderate position: "Till the end we need to try to resolve the situation in a peaceful way... Otherwise we, who are trying to return the world to international law, -- won't dare anymore to (can't find the word вякнуть in my dictionaries)!  It seems to me, that the only way out now -- is to immediately recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and start to refuse military assistance!  Do it now, so that the actions of Georgia will be recognized as illegal!"  (COMMENT: It's a relief to read this.  Grossmutter seems to be a civilized person, whose priority really is to stop the violence and not to aggrandize Russia.  Again, though, there is an odd assumption that Russian recognition is enough to establish the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent.  Her claim that Russia is trying to return the world to international law is implausible, but noble illusions sometimes ennoble.)

Форумист Roobit предлагает пойти на хитрость: »Россия должна бы призвать США одуматься и возложить на них всю ответственность за грузинскую агрессию, понизить дипломатические отношения с США, ввести санкции против США... а параллельно стянуть ВВС в регион и бомбить грузинские военные цели направленно и методично — наступление Грузии должно захлебнуться. Параллельно надо дать фас известно кому на весь этнический бизнес грузин, взять под контроль «диаспору» (ясно, что взрыв в Сочи и нападение на ЮО были спланирован в одном месте) и разорвать отношения с Грузией. У России есть огромный плюс — во всех местах (кроме Чечни), где враг ей навязывает войну, ей не надо контролировать территорию. Лучшим ответом (помимо, а точнее в довесок к уничтожению Грузии) стала бы затяжная война в Ираке и Афганистане и полная катастрофа для «похода за демократию» — что, конечно, означает и начало конца США.»

Forum participant Roobit suggests trying cunning: "Russia needs to call on the USA to think better of it and place on them all responsibility for Georgian aggression, cut off diplomatic relations with the US, and initiate sanctions against the US... and at the same time pull the BBC (???) into the region and bomb Georgian military targets deliberately and methodically -- Georgia's attack must choke.  At the same time, we must give (фас???) to you-know-who on all the ethnic business of Georgians, seize the "diaspora" (it's clear that the explosion in Sochi and the attack on South Ossetia were planned in the same place) and cut off relations with Georgia.  Russia has a huge advantage: in all the places (except Chechnya) where her enemies are forcing war on her, she doesn't need to control territory.  The best response (besides, it... (???) to the destruction of Georgia) would be a long-drawn-out war in Iraq and Afghanistan and a total catastrophe for the "campaign for democracy" -- which, of course, means the beginning of the end of the USA. 

(COMMENT: Wow. Too crazy to be completely evil and too evil to be completely crazy. It seems that it wouldn't occur to Roobit in his wildest dreams that the characterization of Georgia's action as "aggression" seems implausible to the outside world, but does even Roobit think it would be plausible to put all blame on the USA?  Roobit's vicious desire for a long-drawn-out war in Iraq is already obsolete.  The fantasy about "the beginning of the end of the USA" is perhaps not hard to account for: when the Soviet Union's quest for global power fizzled the USSR collapsed soon after.  But it is an example of the incomprehension of the West that leads to disastrous misjudgments.  Hitler, too, never understood Britain.  He thought he could intimidate and divide-and-conquer because he could not comprehend courage and solidarity.  In the words of the Gospel of John: 'The light shines in darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not.'  As an American, color me not afraid; but it's scary to hear such opinions from literate Russians.)

Разумную осторожность проявляет юзер Guest64. По его мнению, «Россия сейчас не должна вступать в войну с Грузией, но надо выдать осетинам и абхазам столько оборонительного оружия, сколько нужно, чтобы уничтожить грузинскую технику и вооружение... Олимпиада продлится две недели, еще неделя — чтобы о ней забыть. И тогда будет иметь смысл нанести бомбовые удары с целью уничтожения всего потенциала агрессора. Ну, как в Ираке, Югославии — бомбить и сказать, что так было».

User Guest64 shows a rational caution. In his opinion, "Russia now should not get into a war with Georgia, but should give Ossetians and Abkhazians as much military equipment, as is necessary, to destroy Georgian machinery and weapons... The Olympics continue for two weeks, and another week to forget about them.  And then it will make sense to deliver a bombing attack with the goal of annihilating all the potential of the aggressor.  Like in Iraq, Yugoslavia -- bomb and say, that that's how it was." (???)
(COMMENT: Would the Ossetians and Abkhazians be able to beat Georgia with any amount of military equipment?  Seems uncertain.)

Форумист СПб не склонен драматизировать ситуацию для России, зато дает устрашающие прогнозы для Грузии: «Ну, это еще не война. К подобным действиям Грузии готовились заранее. Теперь будет игра нервов — и здесь задача России добиться в мире признания факта агрессии со стороны Грузии. До этого момента — официально не вмешиваться, но и не препятствовать добровольцам (казакам, чеченам и иным жителям Кавказа и Прикавказья) поучаствовать в этом конфликте... А вот когда, например, в ООН, будет принята соответствующая резолюция, даже если США наложат вето, — вот тогда у России появится возможность. Либо открыто поучаствовать в конфликте, либо быстро признать независимость ОЮ и Абхазии. И в первом, и во втором случае Грузии — хана».

Forum participant SPB is not inclined to dramatize the situation for Russia, but gives a frightening prediction for Georgia: "Well, it's not a war yet. Georgia prepared for these actions in advance. Now it will be a war of nerves -- and here the goal of Russia is to secure in the world an acknowledgment of the fact of aggression by Georgia. Till that time -- don't officially intervene, but don't prevent volunteers (Cossacks, Chechens and other inhabitants of the Caucasus region) from participating in the conflict... And when, for example, in the United Nations, a corresponding resolution will be adopted, even if the USA vetoes it -- that's when Russia will have its chance.  Either participate in the war openly, or quickly recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.  In either case Georgia -- khana (can't find this word in dictionaries, unless it means "khan," which makes no sense).  (COMMENT: Relatively civilized, but I doubt Russia will convince many, even other than the US, that Georgia was the aggressor.  How do you commit aggression within your own territory?)

А юзер Dobryak уже размышляет о том, как России следует себя вести после успешного завершения операции в Южной Осетии: «После зачистки территории от грузинских вооруженных бандформирований должно последовать требование о выдаче под российский суд ВСЕХ, кто отдал приказ о вторжении и участвовал в убийстве. До этого прежний формат миротворчества отменяется ... И никаких переговоров до этого. И режим миротворчества не будет возобновлен никогда, так как ЮО успеет объединиться с СО».

And user Dobryak is already thinking about how Russia needs to act after the successful completion of operations in South Ossetia: "After clearing the territory of Georgian armed gangs must follow the extradiction to Russian courts ALL, who gave the order for the (invasion???) and participated in murder.  Till then the previous forms of peacemaking are canceled [???]...  And no negotiations till then.  And the regime of peacemaking will never be restored, since South Ossetia will be unified with "SO." (??? not sure what "SO" is...)  (COMMENT: There's an attempt here to imitate the forms of international law and morality.  The ICC prosecutes war criminals worldwide, so why can't Russian courts do the same?)

Форумчан всерьез беспокоит вероятное негативное влияние войны в Южной Осетии на будущее нашей страны. «Сегодня наступил момент истины не только для нашего руководства, но и для всей России, — считает юзер Галина. — Обратите внимание, что ВСЕ молчат — и правительство, и главы партий, и «патриоты» из общества — ждут отмашки. Вот кто первый сам выступит и призовет к войне с Грузией, предложит начать набор добровольцев (понятно, что их много не будет, но сам факт публичного выступления много значит), тот надолго заслужит одобрение народа... Если (власти) не вмешаются, в России будет ситуация, как в последние годы при ЕБН — презираемый всеми президент «работает с документами», народ живет сам по себе. Усилится эмиграция. Следующим президентом имеет шанс стать ультрапатриот».

The forum participants are seriously worried about the likely negative effect of the war in South Ossetia on the future of our country.  "Today comes the moment of truth not just for our leadership, but also for all Russia," thinks user Galina.  "Notice that they are ALL silent -- the government, the heads of the parties, and the 'patriots' from society -- they wait for (??? can't find отмашка in dictionaries).  Whoever will be the first to step out and call for war with Georgia, propose to enlist volunteers (of course, there won't be a lot, but the fact of publicly standing forth means a lot), will long earn the approval of the nation...  If (power) doesn't intervene, there will be a situation in Russia, as in the last years of EBN (don't know what that stands for) -- a president despised by everyone "works with documents," the nation lives on its own.  Emigration accelerates.  The next president stands a chance of becoming an ultrapatriot."

«Решать возможные проблемы и угрозы необходимо до их возникновения, — сетует юзер Этьен. - Но если уж это произошло, во-первых, надо не дергаться, и не делать глупостей в результате поспешных скороспелых выводов и неразберихи. Во-вторых, минимизировать угрозу жизнедеятельности наших солдат и мирного населения. В-третьих, держать удар перед информационной диверсионной деятельностью тех, чьи якобы мирные города бомбит в данный момент Россия. Хотят ли русские войны? Вспомните слова этой песни. Но мне известно, кто этой войны серьезно хочет. Надо же и оружие обкатать, и войска, понятно кем проинструктированные. Странно, Грузинской СССР уже нет, а они все в бывший союзный формат ломятся. Видно, сладко и сыто там жилось».

"You need to resolve problems and threats before they arise," complains user Eten.  "But if it already happened, first, you need to move sharply, and not make foolish mistakes as a result of hurried conclusions and muddle.  Second, minimize the threat to our soldiers and the peaceful population.  Thirdly, deal the blow before the informational diversionary activities of those, who rumor that Russia right now is bombing peaceful cities (??? might have got that one wrong).  Do Russians want war?  Remember the words of the song.  But I know who seriously wanted this war.  It's necessary both to run in weapons, and we know who trained the soldiers.  Strange, the Georgian USSR no longer exists, but they all are breaking into the old Union forms (??? don't get that).  Obviously they're living sweetly and plentifully there (??? don't get that either).

»То, что Россия слаба, — это факт, — оценивает положение вещей юзер Dvar. - Но она станет еще слабее, отказавшись от совершенно обоснованной акции по защите своих граждан в Южной Осетии».

"That Russia is weak is a fact," is user Dvar's appraisal of the state of affairs.  "But it will become still weaker, if it refuses to take well-justified action in defense of its citizens in South Ossetia."

Многие форумчане склонны к пессимистичной оценке возможного исхода войны. «Если Россия это не остановит за день-два — все, страна закончилась, — считает юзер Zerg Ut. - Значит, иммунитет утерян, чувство самосохранения куда-то ушло. Нас раздербанят по кусочкам. Лакмусовая бумажка, так сказать. История творится на наших глазах....Россия должна признать ЮО независимым государством и заключить договор о взаимопомощи, в том числе военной. То же касается Абхазии».

Many forum participants leaned towards a pessimistic appraisal of the possible result of the war.  "If Russia doesn't stop in a day or two -- that's it, the country is finished," thinks user Zerg Ut.  "It means, the immunity is lost, the sense of self-preservation has disappeared somewhere.  They'll smash us to pieces.  Litmus test, as they say.  History is being made before our eyes...  Russia must recognize South Ossetia as an independent state and make a mutual-aid agreement, including military.  The same for Abkhazia."

Читатели сходятся в одном — Россия стоит перед очень важным выбором. »Если Россия сейчас четко и ясно решит проблему с Грузией, то решатся вопросы и с Крымом, а также с восточной Украиной, — уверен юзер Stas. — Там тоже народ потянется в сторону России, поняв, что можно дождаться поддержки. Если нет, то России хана. По сути, это будет долгий и мучительный распад.»

The readers agreed on one thing: Russia stands before a very important choice.  "If Russia now quickly and clearly resolves the problem with Georgia, the problems of the Crimea, and also of eastern Ukraine will resolve themselves," user Stas is sure.  "There too the people will also turn towards Russia, understanding, that they can expect support.  If not, Russia is khana.  In that case, there will be a long and tortuous decline."  (COMMENT: Note the ease with which the imagination moves from one conquest to another.  Russians still have trouble understanding the difference between defending themselves against the Germans in World War II-- that was fine-- and conquering the Baltics and Eastern Europe and seizing them for sixty years-- as if the fact that Russia didn't start the war (except they did, in Finland and Poland, also forgotten; but it was Hitler who attacked them, not vice versa) somehow justified what they did afterwards.)

It's strange: this discussion thread is in some ways a model of democratic debate, with a wide range of views expressed.  There's a right-left spectrum of sorts, only its center of gravity of the discussion is in a disturbing place.

Comments

[Zelsdorf Ragshaft III]

The President should put all nuclear forces on alert and inform the Russians the incursion into Georgia must stop immediately else the US will come to the aid of the oppressed.

[Jonathan]

There's no need for nuclear histrionics. I envision this playing out much the same as Afghanistan in the 80s. Equip the Georgians with javelins or A-10s or whatever the tank killer du jour happens to be (I don't pretend to know) and step back. The Russian armored columns shown in the news are completely indefensible.

Thanks so much for translating this discussion. It seems that no one in the world has less respect for America than we ourselves.

[Thomass]

I wish these were a bunch of morons on a random internet forum... but considering they still have Putin around and are invading another state next door....

[Pat Patterson]

Judging from some of the same kind of comments on several other web sites I would say the reference to the "propaganda machine," is CNN. Which seems to have done its usual poor job of mixing captions on photos and then denying they made any mistake.

[Max]

Well, there are two reasons Russians think they should care about Southern Ossetia.
(1) "The Great Russia" does not need to explain to anyone anything it does on the territiru of the USSR.
(2) There are a lot of documented Russian citizens in Southern Ossetia.

The first does not need to be commented on, but the second , I think , should be. Over the course of last 5-10 years, especially since Georgia publicly turned its back on Russia, it was almost easier to obtain a Russian passport in Ossetia and Abkhazia than in Moscow. Russian government almost recruited citizens there, attracting them with pensions and benefits among other things. When anyone says that Russia has a right to protect its citizens, a very disturbing historical analogy raises its head: remember the PR surrounding Germany's expansion prior to Barbarossa plan? Occupations of Baltic states (and Poland IIRC) had been done, among other things, under the banner of protecting German citizens who were supposedly being endangered. German citizens who had been declared as such in the few years prior to the events.

Then there's the are the times when people mention supposed links between Georgia and Chechen terrorists. What seems to have been forgotten is the fact that it was one of the separatist "governments" that had been caught actually cooperating with Chechens a few years ago, meaning Russia had almost directly financed the training of some of those terrorists. The analog describing that would be.... US approving financial aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban refused to turn over Osama.

Also... please remember that MSM are still pervasive in Russia, and generally extremely loyal to the central government. Thus the general public generally sees a rather skewed picture of events, which explains the location of the center of gravity in discussion (again somewhat reminiscent of Germany in the beginning of the 20th century)..

[A.]

BBC - Военно Воздушные Силы. Air Force.

фас - command you give to a dog to attack.

довесок - when you sell something by weight, you cut a big piece aiming for the desired weight approximately, then, if it is not enough, you add a smaller piece, "довесок" - for full measure.

сказать, что так было - to say that it "was like this before us".

ЮО, СО - South Osetia, North Osetia.

ждут отмашки - waiting for the signal (hand signal, waving that means to begin something)

якобы мирные города - allegedly peaceful cities

а они все в бывший союзный формат ломятся - the idea is that Georgians WANT to push themselves back into the USSR-style joint country with Russia.

[Nathan Smith]

Wow. Thanks!

[A.]

Any time. You have my e-mail, right?
Well, don't publish it, but if you have any more things to translate, - I am there.
A.