Diplomatic tensions and clashes between Georgia and Russia finally erupted into a war. The fighting in Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia in August caused dozens - possibly hundreds - of deaths and widespread destruction.

An armoured vehicle on fire in the separatist capital of South Ossetia Tskhinvali is seen in this image from television footage by RTR Russian Television Channel, Aug. 8, 2008. [Xinhua]