While Wang Ye, Shao Yigu, and others were busy preparing for a sleepless night, the South Ossetia region was already ablaze with artillery fire!
With their larger numbers attacking the less prepared, Georgia's forces advanced smoothly. By the attack launched at dawn, they had already captured nearly half of the South Ossetia region, with their troops heading straight for the capital, Tskhinvali.
Tskhinvali was in chaos. Although they had been notified earlier that Georgian forces were assembling and might launch an attack on South Ossetia, they were somewhat prepared.
Still, the disparity in strength was considerable. Previously, whenever Georgia made minor skirmishes, sending only small troops for attacks, the local armed forces of South Ossetia were able to resist.
But this time was different. Georgia had mobilized all its forces, deploying any movable armored vehicles, airplanes, tanks, etc. South Ossetia simply couldn't withstand and hence suffered defeat after defeat.