Restoration of South Ossetian Capital of Tskhinvali to Be Completed by 2017

The restoration of the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali after it was shelled in 2008 by Georgia may be completed by 2017, President Leonid Tibilov told Sputnik.

TSKHINVALI (Sputnik) — In August 2008, Georgia launched a military offensive against the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, ending in a five-day war with Russia. Both regions were recognized as independent by Russia following the conflict. During the conflict, part of the the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali was significantly damaged by Georgian troops, and Russia has been assisting the republic in the restoration process.

"Today we can say that the recovery process is nearing its completion. [The restoration of] 11 more streets will be finished by the end of the year, approximately the same amount will be left for 2017," Tibilov said.

According to him, the restoration was not just a single event, but a complex set of procedures, involving underground communications, lighting, cable networks, among other issues.

Tibilov added that not a single case of the funds allocated to the restoration project being misused had been registered in South Ossetia, and the local authorizes could "report on each and every ruble coming from Russia."