Georgia's South Ossetia Conflict - Military Commentary

[Stan]

Competence of Russian EOD ?

Two quick comments regarding the situation and article:

There has been widespread looting and arson in ethnic Georgian villages in and around South Ossetia since the war. Residents and refugees from the area have reported the theft or confiscation of their cars by South Ossetian militias and marauders.

There's much more than mere anecdotal evidence of looting and this particular scenario affords an ideal opportunity to get into an otherwise "secure" area and cause mayhem. Based on our initial forensics, the Russians in occupied areas have far more to fear than simple VBIEDs.

Despite high tension since the war, Russian troops at checkpoints on roads leading into South Ossetia from Georgian-controlled territory often carry out only cursory searches of cars, glancing in trunks and waving drivers through.

They call themselves sappers with some actual demolitions background and even have Peace Keepers that, have and employ howitzers.

But, their Engineers and MPs are not qualified for the task at hand as noted here:

The explosion occurred Friday outside the headquarters of the Russian peacekeeping forces in the breakaway Georgian republic. A car bomb went off in a vehicle that had been moved to the capital, Tskhinvali, from a village in the buffer zone outside South Ossetia controlled by Russian forces.

As a returning volunteer opined: "This famous place now resembles the last bus stop before the end of the world!"