Caucasus 2008 were large-scale military maneuvers conducted by Russia in July 2008 close to its border with Georgia.^[1][2][3] The main forces involved were from the 58th Army from the North Caucasus Military District, and the Black Sea Fleet.^[1] The exercises were almost concurrent to joint US–Georgian military exercises dubbed Immediate Response 2008.^[3] At the time, Russia's stated objective for Caucasus 2008 was to improve combat skills in fighting terrorism in mountainous terrain, Russian tanks subsequently entered Georgia in August, starting the Russo-Georgian War.^[1]

They were held in several regions of the Southern Federal District, including Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay–Cherkessia.^{[citation needed]} The units involved were from the North Caucasus Military District, mainly the 58th Army, the 4th Air Force Army, Interior Ministry troops, and border guards.^{[citation needed]} Airborne troops involved included the 56th Airborne Assault Regiment, which conducted parachute assault exercises.^[3] There was also a naval element, involving ships from Russia's Black Sea Fleet and the Novorossiysk Naval Base.^[3]

Russia sought to minimise the true scale of Caucasus 2008, claiming that it involved 8,000 military personnel, 700 tanks and armored personnel carriers, and 30 aircraft;^[1][3] in fact, the actual numbers were significantly larger.^[1] Following the maneuvers, the forces remained in place and were expanded to 80,000 personnel, of which 60,000 later took part in war operations.^[1]

• List of Kavkaz military exercises