Tskhinvali

Tskhinvali is the capital of the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia, a territorial entity in the Caucasus that declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s. The city is the administrative and political center of South Ossetia and is currently controlled by its authorities with a Russian military presence. Most of the international community regards South Ossetia as part of Georgia, with only a small number of states recognizing its independence.

Geographically, Tskhinvali sits in a valley on the Tskhinvali River in the southern Caucasus, near the border with Russia’s North Ossetia-Alania. The surrounding region is mountainous, and the city has historically served as a local hub for administration and commerce.

Historically, the settlement developed around a fortress established in the 16th–17th centuries and grew as a center of Ossetian life within the broader Caucasus region. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Tskhinvali became a focal point in the Georgian–Ossetian conflict. In 1991–1992, armed clashes led to a de facto separation of South Ossetia from Georgia and the city experienced significant disruption.

The 2008 war between Georgia and Russia caused extensive damage to Tskhinvali, with many buildings destroyed and the population affected by displacement. Reconstruction followed, aided by South Ossetian authorities and external support, but the city remains closely tied to the unresolved political status of the region. Pre-war estimates placed the population around 30,000; current demographics reflect displacement and ongoing rebuilding.