South Ossetia, North Ossetia, Alania, Bibilov, Russia, demography, church

In 2018, South Ossetia-Alania celebrated the 10th anniversary of its victory in the war with Georgia, to which Russia had contributed decisively. It was also the first state to recognize the independence of the small country de jure. However, how does its independence look like in practice? The paper analyses the economic and political ties between South Ossetia-Alania and its patron Russia, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Demographic indicators illustrate the specifics of the South Ossetian population, but at the same time point to the causes of the current situation. Based on sociological surveys and activities of the political structures, the paper gives evidence of the South Ossetian elites’ and population’s efforts towards a unification with North Ossetia and thus with Russia.

In 2018, South Ossetia-Alania celebrated the 10th anniversary of its victory in the war with Georgia, to which Russia had contributed decisively. It was also the first state to recognize the independence of the small country de jure. However, how does its independence look like in practice? The paper analyses the economic and political ties between South Ossetia-Alania and its patron Russia, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Demographic indicators illustrate the specifics of the South Ossetian population, but at the same time point to the causes of the current situation. Based on sociological surveys and activities of the political structures, the paper gives evidence of the South Ossetian elites’ and population’s efforts towards a unification with North Ossetia and thus with Russia. An interesting episode is represented by local church activities, which, on the contrary, appear to be independentist.