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Georgia surrounds rebel capital Georgia surrounds rebel capital
(about 2 hours later)
Georgian troops are nearing the capital of the separatist region of South Ossetia after a night of heavy shelling and air strikes on rebel positions. Georgia says its troops have surrounded the capital of separatist South Ossetia as Russia warns further aggression would lead to retaliation from Moscow.
Fighting around Tskhinvali resumed just hours after both sides agreed to a ceasefire and Russian-mediated talks. Fighting around Tskhinvali resumed overnight, breaking a ceasefire deal, and bombardments are continuing.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili has called on reservists to sign up for duty and accused Russia of sending fighter jets to bomb Georgian towns.
At least 15 civilians are said to have died as well as several Russian troops.
Residents of Tskhinvali are reported to be sheltering in basements as massive explosions rock the city. Both sides blame each other for breaking the ceasefire.
A spokesman for the Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia told Interfax news agency that Georgian shells directly hit barracks in Tskhinvali, killing several peacekeepers.
Russian fighters
Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said Georgia had simply run out of patience with attacks by separatist militias in recent days and had had to move in to restore peace in South Ossetia.
SOUTH OSSETIA Population: About 70,000 Capital: Tskhinvali Major languages: Ossetian, Georgian, Russian Major religion: Orthodox Christianity Currency: Russian rouble, Georgian lari Caucasus on alertClashes reignite war fears
Georgia accuses Russia of arming the separatists who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s. Moscow denies the claim.
Russia called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to respond to the crisis, but members failed to agree on a Russian statement calling on both sides to renounce the use of force.
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has convened his national security council and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised a response to what he called Georgian aggression.
The BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says Russia has always said it supports the territorial integrity of Georgia but has also said it would defend its citizens. Many South Ossetians hold Russian passports.
Hundreds of fighters from Russia and Georgia's other breakaway region of Abkhazia are reportedly heading to aid the separatist troops.
Mr Saakashvili's claims of Russian jets bombarding Georgian targets have not been independently confirmed.
Georgia says its aim is to finish "a criminal regime" and restore order.Georgia says its aim is to finish "a criminal regime" and restore order.
An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council failed to agree on a Russian statement calling on both sides to renounce the use of force.
At least 15 people are reported to have been killed and three Russian peacekeepers are among the wounded. Both sides blame each other for breaking the ceasefire.
Georgia's Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze told reporters on Friday the military operations would continue until there was "a durable peace".Georgia's Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze told reporters on Friday the military operations would continue until there was "a durable peace".
"As soon as a durable peace takes hold we need to move forward with dialogue and peaceful negotiations," he told reporters."As soon as a durable peace takes hold we need to move forward with dialogue and peaceful negotiations," he told reporters.
Appeal for talks
South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity told Interfax news agency his forces were still in control of the city, but Georgia claims to have Tskhinvali surrounded.South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity told Interfax news agency his forces were still in control of the city, but Georgia claims to have Tskhinvali surrounded.
Russian fighters
The Russian envoy to the UN, Vitaliy Churkin, described Georgia's actions as "treacherous".The Russian envoy to the UN, Vitaliy Churkin, described Georgia's actions as "treacherous".
SOUTH OSSETIA Population: About 70,000 Capital: Tskhinvali Major languages: Ossetian, Georgian, Russian Major religion: Orthodox Christianity Currency: Russian rouble, Georgian lari Caucasus on alertClashes reignite war fears
"The situation in the conflict zone has reached a dramatic line," he told the emergency session, according to Russian Vesti TV news."The situation in the conflict zone has reached a dramatic line," he told the emergency session, according to Russian Vesti TV news.
"Civilians, old people and children are under massive artillery shelling from Grad rocket systems, guns and large-calibre mortars.""Civilians, old people and children are under massive artillery shelling from Grad rocket systems, guns and large-calibre mortars."
Moscow, which supports the separatists, called on the international community to jointly work "to avert massive bloodshed and new victims".
At the UN emergency session Georgia's ambassador accused Russia of producing a one-sided document.
He also repeated claims that Russia was aiding South Ossetian forces and trying to escalate the conflict to the point where it can intervene.
Despite failing to agree a text, many council members did call on the parties to pull back.Despite failing to agree a text, many council members did call on the parties to pull back.
China, where the Olympic Games opens on Friday, called for worldwide truce during the sporting event.China, where the Olympic Games opens on Friday, called for worldwide truce during the sporting event.
Russian interests A White House spokesman said "all sides should bring an immediate end to the violence and engage in direct talks to resolve this matter peacefully".
Hundreds of fighters from Russia and Georgia's other breakaway region of Abkhazia are reportedly heading to aid the separatist troops.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is considering emergency measures and has summoned his national security council
Georgia accuses Russia of arming the South Ossetian authorities - who have been trying to break away since the civil war in the 1990s. Moscow denies the claim.
The BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says Russia has always said it supports the territorial integrity of Georgia but has also said it would defend its citizens. Many South Ossetians hold Russian passports.
Russia is hostile to Georgia's ambition to join Nato and has accused Georgia of building up its forces around the breakaway regions, where Russian peacekeeping troops are deployed.
Are you in South Ossetia or elsewhere in Georgia? Have you been caught up in events? Send us your comments using the form below:
Are you in South Ossetia or elsewhere in Georgia? Have you been caught up in events? Send us your comments using the form below:
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