Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin may have hoped his country's military attacks of the disputed South Ossetia region might have gone under the radar while the world watched the Olympics, but he was wrong.

The attacks, sparked by Georgia's efforts to regain control of the breakaway territory, have been met with widespread concern from the west.

For its part Georgia claimed to have withdrawn its troops from South Ossetia and to have instituted a ceasefire which was ignored by Russia. Russia has denied plans to invade the region.

Despite the various assurances from both sides, bombs and machinegun fire continue to rock the region.

International efforts have already begun to negotiate a peaceful outcome, but a quick resolution is unlikely. The region has been a hotspot for conflict between the two nations for some decades.

Despite the fragility of their relations, the world hopes that for the sake of those who have died already in this current outbreak of fighting, reportedly as many as 2000, and for the 40,000 who have been forced to flee their homes

in Georgia, negotiations bear fruit sooner rather than later.

Ballarat salutes the 8/7th Battalion

The rich history of our city is an important part of who we are today, and every effort to preserve and record that history is to be commended.

At the weekend, we saw our 8/7 th Battalion celebrate its 150 th anniversary, a remarkable milestone indeed.

The battalion, originally formed to fight in the Crimean War, marked the occasion with a series of events which included the opening of a military museum at the Ranger Barracks in Sturt St, and the launch of a book on the history of the unit.

The 8/7 th has played an important part in Australia's military history and the city remains proud of its connections to this unit and the reservists who serve as part of it.