Russia is bitter with the whole Kosovo thing, so this is their "Haha, how do you like it" pose. In their eyes, South Ossetia was an innocent province of Georgia that had successionist dreams. Georgia says no and invade causing humanitarian distress. Russia is compelled to come in and drive back the Geogian forces and declare South Ossetia as an independent state. Just like Kosovo from Serbia
Unfortunately for Russia, the comparison between Kosovo and South Ossetia is not the same in the eyes for the International community. With the Canadian government's reaction towards Russia in this conflict, I don't think the Canadian government will go as far as to recognize South Ossetia as an independent state
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