In 2008 Georgia and Russia fought a war that killed hundreds and displaced thousands. Since then, tensions have remained high, especially along the lines separating Georgia from its breakaway regions, primarily South Ossetia.

Since 2011, Russian and de facto South Ossetian security personnel are establishing something akin to borders along these lines. They have fortified the boundaries with fences, lined them with ditches, installed security cameras and erected watchtowers, including in the middle of densely populated settlements that straddle the divide between Georgian-controlled and de facto South Ossetian-controlled lands. Villagers have lost access to homes, fields and other property, and they face detention should they try to cross the line to see family. Some have been injured and even killed.