In 2008, Moscow sent its military into Georgia to back separatists in two regions. Some analysts say the West's weak response to the invasion emboldened Vladimir Putin to eventually invade Ukraine.
There was the initial wave of escapees after the February invasion, and another after military mobilisation orders were announced in September.
"There is also a huge gap between me and my family … that formed after the war started. They took the government side, and I'm obviously on the opposite side of that … so it's hard." "I honestly don't know if I will want to return, because I also feel sort of anger and disappointment about my parents, my grandparents, me personally, all of the Russians, they made it happen.In a former restaurant in the old town of Tblisi, an organisation run by young Russians is trying to build a bridge between nations.
The walls of the brick basement are lined with plastic boxes and medicines ready to be dispensed, with a handful of young volunteers packing orders. "All the volunteers here, I think, are trying to heal their guilt, and their responsibility of being from this nation that started war."
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