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Russian troops in Georgia advance Russian troops in Georgia advance
(30 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 pushed into Georgia from South Ossetia and were now outside the town of Gori, Georgia said.Russian troops also pushed into Georgia from South Ossetia and were now outside the town of Gori, Georgia said.
US President George W Bush said it seemed "efforts might be under way to depose" the Georgian government.US President George W Bush said it seemed "efforts might be under way to depose" the Georgian government.
Expressing his concern about the "dramatic and brutal escalation" of the conflict, Mr Bush called on Russia to reverse the course it appeared to be on and agree to an immediate ceasefire. Expressing his concern about the "dramatic and brutal escalation" of the conflict, Mr Bush called on Russia to reverse the course it appeared to be on.
The UN Security Council is now discussing a draft resolution calling for a truce. Russia's government must respect Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty US President George W Bush
The UN Security Council is currently meeting in New York to discuss a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Reports say that Russian troops now control many key bridges and roads across Georgia, leaving the capital, Tbilisi, isolated.
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.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 darkensRussia actions confound alliesOur 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 darkensRussia actions confound allies
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, they added.
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 Georgian troops 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. US President George W Bush statement on Georgia
"We regret that we have witnessed such developments without our Western partners intervening more actively," he said. Georgian Prime Minister Lado Gurgenidze said he regretted that events had developed "without our Western partners intervening more actively".
Russia's defence ministry denied troops had entered Poti, the Interfax news agency reported. The head of the Georgian National Security Council has said that Russian troops now control many key bridges and roads across Georgia.
Meanwhile, officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali. The BBC's Natalia Antelava says this leaves Tbilisi isolated from much of the country, and that has caused visible panic.
Residents of the capital have been queuing at petrol stations and in super markets, even though the government has promised that supplies of fuel and food will not run out, she says.
Nato pleaNato plea
On Monday, EU envoys were attempting to broker a ceasefire agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow In his statement late on Monday, Mr Bush warned that Russia's action so far was endangering its relations with the United States and Europe.
Russia says it is responding to attacks by Georgia and protecting its citizens He urged Moscow to accept an EU-brokered peace agreement that Georgia's president has already signed.
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. "I am deeply concerned by reports that Russian troops have moved beyond the zone of conflict, attacked the Georgian town of Gori, and are threatening the Georgian capital, Tbilisi," he said.
Georgia's President Saakashvili agreed to the EU 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.
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 conflict
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 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 remained "very serious".Meanwhile, the Red Cross said it has visited several hospitals in Georgia and on Russian territory and warned that the humanitarian situation remained "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:
• 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 to hold talks in Moscow and Georgia on Tuesday• French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to hold talks in Moscow and Georgia on Tuesday
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