At an event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the peacekeeping operation to end the Georgian-Ossetian conflict, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated, "The first peacekeeping operation of the Russian Federation, which began on July 14, 1992, in South Ossetia, was carried out in a single breath and became an important work for the country."

"This is a one-of-a-kind situation in which a commission comprised of representatives from all law enforcement agencies was formed in a matter of days." He congratulated all those involved in the operation who were present at the meeting. According to the minister, "it was a big, important, and vital task for our nation at the time."

"At the time, I am certain, especially among my generation, that we were persuaded that all of this was temporary, that our nation would once again be large and powerful, that the Soviet Union would return, and that no one would leave—everyone would live in peace and harmony," Shoigu said.

Shoigu indicated that, in the context of ongoing armed conflict, he was obligated to talk with representatives of both warring parties and with the leaders of illegal armed groups that refused to follow the official authority. "I won't lie, it was challenging. However, the outcome was well worth it, as Russia prevented the extermination of the South Ossetian people," Shoigu stated.