Besides the general devastation that modern warfare brings, impoverished and angry Russian soldiers were wreaking havoc on civilians by stealing belongings left behind and raping women. In addition, lawlessness was enticing bandits to cross the border and vandalize and rob properties left by fleeing refugees.
除了现代战争所带来的创伤，贫穷和愤怒的俄罗斯士兵对平民进行了大肆蹂躏，他们偷窃平民留下的财物，他们强奸妇女。更有甚者，无政府状态诱惑了强盗们越过边界来抢劫逃走的难民留下的财产。由俄罗斯和格鲁吉亚国家控制的电视台频道的新闻报道和“分析”，宣传“敌方”的负面形象，这更加重了各民族间的矛盾。