Republic of South Ossetia is located оn the southern slopes of the Main Caucasus Range in the area of 3900 square meters. Тhe capital is the city of Tskhinval.
One-tenth of the surface occupied by the Republic of the foothills.
The rest of the territory - the mountainous terrain height from 850 to 3938 meters above sea level.
The highest point - Mount Halatsa (3938 m).

Press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Ossetia

Festivities, dedicated to the 27th Anniversary of the Republic of South Ossetia are being held in South Ossetia. The proclamation of the Republic became a logical result of the aggressive Georgian policy, aimed at extirpation of the Ossetian nation, its ancient traditions and culture. This big day ushered in a new era in history of South Ossetia. According to the established tradition, the Day of the Republic is celebrated with a military parade held in South Ossetian capital.


On September 20, 1990 members of the South Ossetian Autonomus Oblast Soviet proclaimed the South Ossetian Soviet Democratic Republic. The historical decision was driven by the necessity to secure a safe future of the Ossetians, which had been challenged in those conditions, when Georgia without holding referendum and considering opinions of other nations, living in the Soviet Republic, claimed about secession from the USSR. Moreover, in conditions when the ultranationalist forces were fomenting hatred toward all non-Georgian nations, against the background of aggression, ethnic cleansings and genocide from Georgian side, it was the only correct step, made in accordance with the Soviet legislation and the international law.

South Ossetian people were hardened by the years of hardships, outrages and wars, which followed that event. As a result of enormous efforts and by means of lives of thousands of courageous defenders of Motherland, South Ossetia asserted its sovereignty.

Having set itself the goal to turn the territory of the Republic into a clear field, Georgia unleashed the most severe and bloody aggression against South Ossetia in August 2008. The people of South Ossetia are grateful to the Russian Federation for the invaluable help in repelling the August aggression, eliminating social and economic consequences of the war and building friendly partnership with the Republic of South Ossetia.

On August 26, 2008 the independence of South Ossetia was recognized by the Russian Federation, and later other states followed its example.

The years passed proved that the independence was the only correct choice, which allowed the people of South Ossetia to save their right to life, dignity and freedom.

Today the Republic of South Ossetia is an internationally recognized state, which determines its foreign policy in line with the principles of international law and based on mutual respect among nations and states.


Tskhinval, September 20, 2017