From 1993 to 2008, the mixed Joint peacekeeping force (consisting of three battalions - Russian, Georgian and Ossetian) were deployed in South Ossetia.

[4] After the recognition of the Republic of South Ossetia by Russia, it was decided that a permanent Russian military base was needed.

[13] In 2012, it was planned to form the so-called "Ossetian Battalion" recruited from among the Armed Forces of South Ossetia as part of the base.

[15][16] According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, they were organized into three battalion tactical groups, with a total number of 1,200 Russian and Ossetian servicemen, for the deployment in Ukraine.

[17] Ossetians being sent as part of the Russian troops in Ukraine was confirmed, on 20 March 2022, by South Ossetia's leader Anatoly Bibilov, who said, responding to critics, that he was not the one to "give the order", but he supported the deployment.