This is "win win" for Putin.
It will be an easy victory. They should have no problem kicking Georgias butt, most of all considering the people in SO want nothing to do with Saakashvili. Whom has been raceing at breakneck speed to integrate with NATO in order to shore up support for just such a reality. Putin has been trying hard to provke all this for awhile because he wants to torpedo Georgias integration with the West before it firms up with a full NATO membership.
OK, so now its "on". Putin will get his splendid little war and get huge waves at home, "who doesnt like winning a war"? He will weaken Georgias position across the board, frighten other NATO states that allowing Georgia might draw them into a full scale war with Russia.
But most importantly he will get a stranglehold on the central Asian oil and gas pipeline. Thats what really is at stake here. If Putin can pull off a victory and bring Georgia back into the fold, under Russian influence again, it will strengthen Russias European strangelhold on oil and natural gas. As an added plus conflict in the region will keep energy prices high, which again helps Russia.
Like I said, Putin cant lose here. Clever boy.
And if anyone thinks the Russians are doing this out of concern for the well being of South Osetians??? Well I think you have to generous an outlook on Russian government.