The first peacekeeping operation of the Russian Federation, which began on July 14, 1992 in South Ossetia, was carried out in one breath and became an important work for the country, said Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu.
"This first peacekeeping operation was done in one breath, very quickly," the Minister said at the event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the peacekeeping operation to resolve the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
"This is a unique experience when a commission was created in a few days, which included representatives of all law enforcement agencies. I mean the future of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, then the State Committee, the Deputy Defense Minister, the first Deputy Interior Minister, the first Seputy of the FSB. All this was put together ", Shoigu added.
He congratulated the present participants of that operation, noting that "this is a big, important, necessary work for our country at that moment."
"At that time, I am absolutely sure, especially my generation, we were absolutely convinced that all this was temporary and our country would again be big and strong, and there would be the Soviet Union again, and no one would leave anywhere - everyone would live in peace and consent," Shoigu said.
Shoigu has said that in the context of ongoing armed clashes, he had to negotiate with representatives of both conflicting parties, and with the leaders of illegal armed groups who refused to obey the official authorities. "I will not hide that it was difficult. But the result was worth it - Russia did not allow the people of South Ossetia to be exterminated," the Minister said.
"I really want all these events to really be history and never happen again," he has concluded.
On July 14, 1992, a mixed peacekeeping force consisting of three battalions - Russian, Georgian and Ossetian - was introduced into the conflict zone. Shoigu was then co-Chairman of the mixed control commission for the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
