South Ossetia Georgian government severed diplomatic relations with Russia. Russian forces left the buffer areas bordering Abkhazia and South Ossetia on 8 October and the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia assumed authority over the buffer areas. Since the war, Georgia has maintained that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are Russian-occupied Georgian territories. South Ossetia is in the very heart of the Caucasus at the juncture of Asia and Europe, and it occupies the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the foothills' part of the Kartalin Valley. South Ossetia is a very mountainous region. The Likhi Range is roughly in
Visa policy of South Ossetia Visa policy of South Ossetia Visitors to South Ossetia do not require a visa. However, visitors are required to hold a valid Russian visa that permits them to return to Russia unless they are Russian citizens or citizens of countries that are exempt from Russian visas and to notify authorities about their visit in advance. Meanwhile, citizens of 3 other Post-Soviet disputed states can travel visa free to South Ossetia. All members of the Community for Democracy and Rights of Nations have agreed to abolish visa requirements for their citizens. This includes: An agreement between South Ossetia and Nauru on