This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7554507.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Russian troops in Georgia advance Russian troops in Georgia advance
(about 1 hour 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.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.
Click to view a map of the region
Russia, which supports the province's bid for separation, then bombed targets throughout Georgia and moved troops into the region and into Abkhazia.Russia, which supports the province's bid for separation, then bombed targets throughout Georgia and moved troops into the region and into Abkhazia.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
The Georgian president runs for cover as he visits a bomb siteThe Georgian president runs for cover as he visits a bomb site
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.
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 href="/1/hi/world/europe/7549736.stm">Q&A: Violence in South Ossetia href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7554636.stm">In pictures: Georgia in crisis class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/3261059.stm">Profile: Abkhazia Our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead Dominik StillhartRed Cross href="/1/hi/world/europe/7553390.stm">Lessons from South Ossetia href="/1/hi/world/7554420.stm">Voices on the conflict class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7554065.stm">Press reacts to the crisis
Georgian officials then accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi, near 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.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."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.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.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 pleaNato 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.
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: Abkhazia
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.
Russia has also called for an emergency meeting with Nato on the conflict. Mr Saakashvili accused Russia of trying to overthrow his government and claimed Russia was now in control of the majority of Georgian lands.
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. Russian officials denied they were seeking a regime change, and reiterated that they were responding to Georgian attacks.
Nato's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has accused Russian of using disproportionate force and violating Georgia's sovereignty. Georgia's foreign minister is due to meet Nato officials on Tuesday.
But Russia has also requested an emergency meeting with Nato, saying the organisation should hear Moscow's side before making any decisions.
Before the latest attacks, Nato's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer had accused Russian of using disproportionate force and violating Georgia's sovereignty.
And the G7 group of nations issued a strongly-worded statement calling on Russia to accept the ceasefire agreement.
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.
"But our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead."
Back to story