Whom did Russia recognize as independent? - Those Ossetians and Abkhazs that are ALREADY RUSSIAN CITIZENS?

Only a few days ago, Russia sent troops to Ossetia and Abkhazia (officially -  the territory of Georgia), claiming that it must protect its own "citizens"(passport holders, rather).  Now, out of sudden, these people are no longer Russians? And they must be given independence? Please explain.

The remaining population of South Ossetia and Abkhazia (including those ousted by Russians from their homes) do not have Russian passports and would hardly want to live under Russia's oppressive KGB regime.  The referenda on independent status conducted in Ossetia and Abkhazia, to which Medvedev referred today, involved exclusively the opinions of separatists - but these are only a small fraction of Ossetia's and Abkhazia's population. Besides, no one cared to ask the opinion of over 300,000 ethnic Georgians that were ousted from their homes jointly by Russian troops and their handfed separatist regimes over the past 15 years. So, these referenda can by no means be considered as legitimate.

It follows that Medvedev granted independence to a relatively small group of Russian citizens. This is setting a very interesting precedent in Russia's history! A dangerous one, too! It will unleash the domino effect of liberation of the numerous Russian Federation autonomous republics.

This is a grim prospect for Russia. But Russia has dug a hole for itself and now has fallen into it.