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Russian troops in Georgia advance Russian troops in Georgia advance
(40 minutes later)
Russian forces have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening.Russian forces have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening.
Moscow said troops had raided the town of Senaki to destroy a military base. It later said they had left the town.Moscow said troops had raided the town of Senaki to destroy a military base. It later said they had left the town.
Russian troops also reportedly pushed into Georgia from South Ossetia, another breakaway region, and are now outside Gori, Georgian officials say.Russian troops also reportedly pushed into Georgia from South Ossetia, another breakaway region, and are now outside Gori, Georgian officials say.
As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire.As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire.
The current fighting began late last week when Georgian forces launched a surprise attack to regain control of South Ossetia, which has had de facto independence since the end of a civil war in 1992. The UN Security Security is discussing a draft resolution calling for an immediate truce.
The current hostilities began late last week when Georgian forces launched a surprise attack to regain control of South Ossetia, which has had de facto independence since the end of a civil war in 1992.
Click to view a map of the region Click to view a map of the region
The move followed days of exchanges of heavy fire with the Russian-backed separatists. In response to the Georgian crackdown, Moscow sent armoured units into South Ossetia and Abkhazia.The move followed days of exchanges of heavy fire with the Russian-backed separatists. In response to the Georgian crackdown, Moscow sent armoured units into South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russian denialRussian denial
Russia confirmed for the first time on Monday it had advanced beyond the borders of Abkhazia, saying it had launched an operation in the town of Senaki.Russia confirmed for the first time on Monday it had advanced beyond the borders of Abkhazia, saying it had launched an operation in the town of Senaki.
Later, a Russian defence official told Russian news agencies that its forces had withdrawn from Senaki and that they had forced out a Georgian unit which could have shelled South Ossetia.Later, a Russian defence official told Russian news agencies that its forces had withdrawn from Senaki and that they had forced out a Georgian unit which could have shelled South Ossetia.
Our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead Dominik StillhartRed Cross Lessons from South OssetiaGeorgian exodus as fighting ragesDiplomatic mood darkens in GeorgiaOur visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead Dominik StillhartRed Cross Lessons from South OssetiaGeorgian exodus as fighting ragesDiplomatic mood darkens in Georgia
Georgian officials also accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi, near Abkhazia.Georgian officials also accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi, near Abkhazia.
The Russians had issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said.The Russians had issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said.
The conflict over South Ossetia also appeared to have widened when Georgia accused Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi.The conflict over South Ossetia also appeared to have widened when Georgia accused Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi.
"This is a total onslaught," Georgia's National Security Council secretary Alexander Lomaia told the AFP news agency, adding that Georgian troops were pulling back to defend Tbilisi."This is a total onslaught," Georgia's National Security Council secretary Alexander Lomaia told the AFP news agency, adding that Georgian troops were pulling back to defend Tbilisi.
Russia's defence ministry quickly issued a statement rejecting the claim, saying there were none of its troops in Gori.Russia's defence ministry quickly issued a statement rejecting the claim, saying there were none of its troops in Gori.
Later, a spokesman for the Georgian interior ministry told the BBC that there had never been Russian troops in Gori.Later, a spokesman for the Georgian interior ministry told the BBC that there had never been Russian troops in Gori.
He said the Russian Army had taken up a position just outside the town after destroying a military base and admitted the Georgian army had fled the area without putting up a fight.He said the Russian Army had taken up a position just outside the town after destroying a military base and admitted the Georgian army had fled the area without putting up a fight.
Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze then said Russian forces had also entered the Black Sea port of Poti, the site of a major oil shipment facility.Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze then said Russian forces had also entered the Black Sea port of Poti, the site of a major oil shipment facility.
"We regret that we have witnessed such developments without our Western partners intervening more actively," he said."We regret that we have witnessed such developments without our Western partners intervening more actively," he said.
Russia's defence ministry denied the statement, the Interfax news agency reported.
Meanwhile, officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali.Meanwhile, officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali.
Nato pleaNato plea
On Monday, EU envoys were attempting to broker a ceasefire agreement between Tbilisi and MoscowOn Monday, EU envoys were attempting to broker a ceasefire agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow
Russia says it is responding to attacks by Georgia and protecting its citizensRussia says it is responding to attacks by Georgia and protecting its citizens
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili agreed to the deal, but it was rejected by Russia, which said any negotiations could take place only after Georgian troops had pulled out of the disputed regions. Georgia's President Saakashvili agreed to the deal, but it was rejected by Russia, which said any negotiations could take place only after Georgian troops had pulled out of the disputed regions.
And leaders from both countries carried on a war of words, with Russia accusing Georgia of genocide, and President Saakashvili hitting back with claims of ethnic cleansing.And leaders from both countries carried on a war of words, with Russia accusing Georgia of genocide, and President Saakashvili hitting back with claims of ethnic cleansing.
Mr Saakashvili accused Russia of trying to overthrow his government and claimed Russia was now in control of the majority of Georgian lands.Mr Saakashvili accused Russia of trying to overthrow his government and claimed Russia was now in control of the majority of Georgian lands.
Russian officials denied they were seeking a regime change, and reiterated that they were responding to Georgian attacks and protecting Russian citizens - who make up the majority of the population of South Ossetia.Russian officials denied they were seeking a regime change, and reiterated that they were responding to Georgian attacks and protecting Russian citizens - who make up the majority of the population of South Ossetia.
ABKHAZIA Broke away from Georgia in 1992-1993 warDe-facto independence not recognised internationally2,000 Russian troops there sent as peacekeepersGeorgia seized strategic Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia in 2006Abkhazia rejected Georgian offer of autonomy within federal state Q&A: Violence in South OssetiaIn pictures: Georgia in crisisProfile: AbkhaziaVoices on the conflictABKHAZIA Broke away from Georgia in 1992-1993 warDe-facto independence not recognised internationally2,000 Russian troops there sent as peacekeepersGeorgia seized strategic Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia in 2006Abkhazia rejected Georgian offer of autonomy within federal state Q&A: Violence in South OssetiaIn pictures: Georgia in crisisProfile: AbkhaziaVoices on the conflict
BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the further Russia penetrates into Georgian territory, the harder it is for Moscow to claim it occupies the high ground.BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the further Russia penetrates into Georgian territory, the harder it is for Moscow to claim it occupies the high ground.
But, our correspondent adds, the worrying question is - does the Russian leadership care about its reputation abroad any more?But, our correspondent adds, the worrying question is - does the Russian leadership care about its reputation abroad any more?
Meanwhile, the Red Cross said it has visited several hospitals in Georgia and on Russian territory and warned that the humanitarian situation "remains very serious".Meanwhile, the Red Cross said it has visited several hospitals in Georgia and on Russian territory and warned that the humanitarian situation "remains very serious".
"It's still too early to say how many people have been killed or injured by the fighting," said Dominik Stillhart, the organisation's deputy director of operations."It's still too early to say how many people have been killed or injured by the fighting," said Dominik Stillhart, the organisation's deputy director of operations.
"But our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead.""But our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead."
In other developments:In other developments:
• The UN security council is to be briefed by its peacekeeping department on apparent incursions in to Georgian territory.
• Georgia's foreign minister is due to meet Nato officials on Tuesday. Russia has also requested an emergency meeting with Nato, saying the organisation should hear Moscow's side before making any decisions.• Georgia's foreign minister is due to meet Nato officials on Tuesday. Russia has also requested an emergency meeting with Nato, saying the organisation should hear Moscow's side before making any decisions.
• The US and several European nations have begun to evacuate hundreds of their citizens from Georgia.• The US and several European nations have begun to evacuate hundreds of their citizens from Georgia.
• Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland issue a joint statement saying that as "once-captive nations of Eastern Europe" they share a "deep concern" about Russia's actions towards Georgia.• Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland issue a joint statement saying that as "once-captive nations of Eastern Europe" they share a "deep concern" about Russia's actions towards Georgia.
• The G7 group of developed countries issues a strongly-worded statement calling on Russia to accept the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement.• The G7 group of developed countries issues a strongly-worded statement calling on Russia to accept the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement.
• French President Nicolas Sarkozy is hold talks in Moscow and Georgia on Tuesday.
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