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Russian troops in Georgia advance | |
(30 minutes later) | |
Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening. | Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening. |
Moscow said it had launched a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region. | Moscow said it had launched a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region. |
And Georgia says Russian troops have captured the town of Gori in central Georgia - a claim denied by Moscow. | |
As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire. | As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire. |
Violence erupted in South Ossetia late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory. | Violence erupted in South Ossetia late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory. |
Russia, which supports the province's bid for separation, then bombed targets throughout Georgia and moved troops into the region and into Abkhazia. | |
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The Georgian president runs for cover as he visits a bomb site | The Georgian president runs for cover as he visits a bomb site |
Russian 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. |
A Defence official told the Interfax news agency the move was intended to prevent Georgian troops from shelling South Ossetia, and to stop them from regrouping. | A Defence official told the Interfax news agency the move was intended to prevent Georgian troops from shelling South Ossetia, and to stop them from regrouping. |
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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7549736.stm">Q&A: Violence in South Ossetia class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7554636.stm">In pictures: Georgia in crisis class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/3261059.stm">Profile: Abkhazia | |
Georgian officials then accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi, near Abkhazia. | |
The Russians issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said. | The Russians issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said. |
And the conflict over South Ossetia also appeared to have widened, with Georgia accusing 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 AFP news agency. | |
He said Georgian troops were pulling back to defend Tbilisi. | |
But Russia's defence ministry later issued a statement rejecting the claim, saying there were no Russian troops in Gori. | |
Local officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali, by helicopter. | Local officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali, by helicopter. |
Nato plea | |
On Monday EU envoys were attempting to broker an agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow. | On Monday EU envoys were attempting to broker an agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow. |
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document was rejected by Moscow. | Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed an EU-backed ceasefire, but the document was rejected by Moscow. |
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. | |
Russia has also called for an emergency meeting with Nato on the conflict. | |
Georgia's foreign minister is due to meet Nato on Tuesday, but Russia says the organisation should hear Moscow's side before making any decisions. | |
Nato's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has accused Russian of using disproportionate force and violating Georgia's sovereignty. |